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Apple Tightens Age Controls in App Store, Discord Delays Age Verification

Key Points
  • Apple has implemented stricter age controls in the App Store for Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Utah, and Louisiana.
  • Discord has postponed its global age verification launch to the second half of 2026 due to user criticism.
  • In Brazil, apps with in-game purchases now automatically have an 18+ rating.

Apple has updated its age verification tools to help app developers comply with stricter online child safety laws in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Utah, and Louisiana. Since February 24, users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore are blocked from downloading apps with an 18+ rating unless they confirm they are adults through the App Store's system. In Brazil, all apps with in-game purchases now automatically receive an 18+ rating.

Meanwhile, Discord has delayed its global age verification plans after facing massive user criticism, postponing the launch to the second half of 2026 instead of March, as the company acknowledges it needs to do more to win user trust.

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