Apple is updating App Store requirements so developers must disclose whether their apps include real-world location sharing and dating or “romantic” interactions, including with virtual companions. The changes are tied to how Apple assigns age ratings, and Apple is rolling out new disclosures through App Store Connect.
Apple says apps that include dating and relationships must carry a minimum age rating of 18+, even when the interactions are with virtual companions that involve sexual or romantic content. Developers must submit the relevant disclosures through App Store Connect by January 12, 2027, and Apple is introducing new content descriptors starting November 16.
Coverage across outlets emphasizes the practical implications for developers and the scope of what must be disclosed. 9to5Mac highlights a focus on dating apps and “AI romantic companions,” while AppleInsider and MacRumors focus on the timeline and the specific disclosure fields for location sharing and romantic interactions, including how existing enforcement began in 2025 to prepare for more detailed age gating rules.
