Apple Introduces Age Assurance Feature Amid Debate Over Child Safety on Apps

Apple (AAPL.O) has unveiled a new approach to addressing concerns surrounding children’s access to age-restricted apps. The tech giant announced Thursday that it will introduce a system allowing parents to share a child’s age range with app developers without revealing sensitive personal information like birthdays or government identification numbers. This move arrives as various U.S. state and federal lawmakers are actively considering age-verification laws for social media and other applications, igniting a debate within the tech industry about who should bear the responsibility for verifying the ages of users under 18.

Currently, several states, including Utah and South Carolina, are engaged in legislative discussions regarding laws that would mandate app store operators like Apple and Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google to verify the ages of their users. This legislative push has created a point of contention within the tech sector, specifically addressing whether app stores or individual apps should be responsible for confirming the ages of users under 18.

Meta (META.O), for instance, has been a vocal proponent of legislation requiring app stores to verify a child’s age before allowing them to download an app. The company argues that this approach would be more effective in protecting children from accessing inappropriate content.

However, Apple has expressed its reluctance to become the primary collector of sensitive data for age verification purposes. The company argues that while only a small fraction of apps on the App Store may necessitate age verification, requiring Apple to collect such data would mean that all users would have to provide their sensitive personally identifying information, regardless of whether they intend to use those specific apps.

In a whitepaper published on its website, Apple stated that it does not want the responsibility of collecting sensitive data for age verification. The company expressed concern that such a requirement would force all users to provide their personal information, even if they do not intend to use apps that require age verification.

As an alternative, Apple is introducing a feature called "age assurance." This feature will allow parents to input their child’s age when setting up the child’s account. Parents will then have the option to allow the child to share what Apple refers to as a "declared age range" with third-party app developers, rather than sharing their exact birthday or other identifying information. Parents will also have the ability to turn off age-range sharing entirely.

Apple believes that this approach strikes a balance between protecting children’s privacy and providing developers with the information they need to comply with age restrictions. The company emphasized that this system protects privacy by keeping parents in control of their kids’ sensitive personal information, while minimizing the amount of information that is shared with third parties.

The introduction of Apple’s "age assurance" feature comes amid increasing scrutiny of social media and online platforms regarding their responsibility to protect children. Legislators and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the potential for children to be exposed to harmful content, cyberbullying, and other online risks.

The debate over age verification has also raised questions about the technical feasibility and privacy implications of different approaches. Some argue that requiring app stores to verify ages would be a more effective way to protect children, while others argue that it would be too burdensome and could create privacy risks.

In a statement, Stephanie Otway, a Meta spokeswoman, acknowledged that Apple’s technology is a "positive first step," but noted that it still requires the child to share age range data with the developer, which she believes will make it more difficult for Meta to put to use. Otway emphasized that parents want to have the final say over the apps their teens use, and that’s why Meta supports legislation that requires app stores to verify a child’s age and get a parent’s approval before their child downloads an app.

Meta’s stance reflects its continued support for legislative solutions that would place the responsibility for age verification on app stores. The company believes that this approach would be more effective in ensuring that children are protected from accessing inappropriate content.

It’s important to note that Apple’s existing controls already require parental approval for children to download an app. This means that parents already have the ability to control which apps their children can access. However, the new "age assurance" feature would provide parents with an additional layer of control, allowing them to share age range information with developers while protecting their children’s privacy.

Furthermore, the conversation regarding age verification isn’t limited to the United States. Australia recently passed a social media minimum age law, cracking down on app use by kids. This global trend indicates a growing international recognition of the need to safeguard children in the online environment.

In conclusion, Apple’s introduction of the "age assurance" feature represents a significant step in the ongoing debate over child safety on apps. While the feature has been met with mixed reactions, it demonstrates a growing awareness of the need to protect children from accessing inappropriate content and to empower parents to control their children’s online experiences. The debate over age verification is likely to continue as lawmakers and tech companies grapple with the complex issues involved. The core question remains: how can we best protect children online while respecting privacy and ensuring access to the benefits of technology? The answer likely lies in a multi-faceted approach that involves technological solutions, legislative action, and ongoing collaboration between parents, educators, and the tech industry.