Apple is updating the App Store Connect age-rating questionnaire so that from 16 November 2026 developers must declare whether an app shares real-world location with other people and whether it enables dating or romantic interaction, including with virtual companions. Dating and Relationships apps receive a minimum 18+ rating. All apps must complete the declarations by 12 January 2027. Some markets, such as Brazil, apply stricter local age mappings.
What it means: The change puts the duty on developers to label sensitive social features accurately before listing. Greek dating, social and family-safety apps must revisit age answers and may see higher ratings shown to parents. Including AI romantic companions shows Apple treats those chatbots as high-risk for minors. The November and January deadlines need a compliance calendar: late filings risk rejected updates. Products that share location only between parent and child need careful answers so they are not equated with dating apps. Legal teams should align declarations with privacy policies and store copy in Greek and English. The move also matters for alternative EU storefronts, where age ratings remain a key signal for distributors. Product managers should audit analytics events and permission prompts now, because mismatched disclosures are an easy App Review failure once the questionnaire is mandatory for every update submitted. This matters for planning, procurement and day-to-day governance in organisations that already use generative tools.
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