{"id":377325,"date":"2026-04-02T00:01:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T00:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/377325\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T00:01:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T00:01:10","slug":"app-stores-restricting-underage-users","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/377325\/","title":{"rendered":"App stores: Restricting underage users"},"content":{"rendered":"

SINGAPORE \u2013 It is now mandatory for app stores in Singapore to screen and block people under 18 from downloading apps and games<\/a>, such as those providing dating services or with sexual content, not meant for their age.<\/p>\n

This requirement, which kicked in on April 1, is spelt out under the Infocomm Media Development Authority\u2019s Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services. It applies to Apple, Google, Huawei, Samsung and Microsoft as they operate stores or online portals for downloading apps.<\/p>\n

The code aims to set guard rails at the gateway to apps that have come under fire for exposing children to harmful content such as sexual and violent material, and content linked to self-harm or cyberbullying.<\/p>\n

The Straits Times examines what kind of apps are now restricted for under-18 users, and how app store operators handle data provided by users.<\/p>\n

Most app stores give dating apps such as Tinder and Coffee Meets Bagel an age rating of 18+. Huawei\u2019s AppGallery does not carry these apps, but their equivalents such as Badoo and TrulyThai are rated 18+.<\/p>\n

But checks done by ST on April 1 found that age ratings for apps can be inconsistent across the various app stores.<\/p>\n

For instance, Monopoly Poker \u2013 Texas Holdem is rated 18+ on Apple\u2019s App Store and Google Play store for simulated gaming and features such as loot boxes and in-app chat functions.<\/p>\n

However, the same game on Microsoft Store in Singapore has been given a \u201cTeen\u201d rating \u2013 which states that the content is appropriate for those aged 13 and above.<\/p>\n

Games under the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series carry an 18+ rating on Apple\u2019s App Store and the Google Play store for containing violence and drug use materials. But GTA V is given a 17+ rating on the Microsoft Store.<\/p>\n

Apps that have been given an 18+ rating on the Microsoft Store include Rooms of Intimacy \u2013 advertised as a board game that helps to build intimacy between couples and contains strong sexual content.<\/p>\n

\"Grand<\/p>\n

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) V is given a 17+ rating on the Microsoft Store, while other titles under the GTA series carry an 18+ rating on Apple\u2019s App Store and the Google Play store.<\/p>\n

PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM MICROSOFT STORE<\/p>\n

Social media apps such as Reddit and X are also not rated equally across app stores. X is given an 18+ rating on Google Play store, while it is rated 16+ on Apple\u2019s App Store.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Reddit is given an 18+ rating on Apple\u2019s App Store, while it can be downloaded by under-18 users on Google Play and Microsoft Store.<\/p>\n

On Huawei\u2019s AppGallery, messaging platform Telegram is given an 18+ rating. The app is rated 13+ on Apple\u2019s App Store, and 12+ on Google Play.<\/p>\n

Before apps can be listed on Apple\u2019s App Store, app developers must first complete a questionnaire that requires them to declare if their content carries references to alcohol and drug use, sexual material, violence, loot boxes, or the use of gambling or simulated gambling.<\/p>\n

App developers must also provide details of in-app controls and capabilities, including the ability to broadcast user-generated content or chat functions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Apple will then assign an age rating, which varies depending on the country or region that the user is in. According to the company\u2019s site for developers, apps that are rated 18+ by Apple can contain frequent nudity, realistic violence, and references to vices such as alcohol use.<\/p>\n

Apps that contain gambling or frequent simulated gambling are also rated 18+.<\/p>\n

For Microsoft Store and Google Play, ratings for apps are set by the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC). The IARC is a coalition of the world\u2019s leading content rating agencies. Apps will be automatically assigned a rating after developers complete a questionnaire that is similar to the one for Apple app developers.<\/p>\n

Apps that are rated 18+ by the IARC contain graphic violence, which includes depictions that are directed at defenceless characters or lack motive. These apps may also contain graphic sexual content, discriminatory acts, and glamourisation of illegal drug use.<\/p>\n

Google also has reviewers to check if an app\u2019s rating is aligned with its content, said the company in response to queries from ST.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf our reviewers determine that an app\u2019s rating is significantly lower than what the content warrants, we take action by rejecting new apps from entering the Store,\u201d said Google.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe developer is required to resubmit the IARC questionnaire to obtain an accurate rating, after which the app must undergo a new review.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Apple and Microsoft, app store account holders will be prompted to prove their age only when they attempt to download an app that is rated 18+.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Apple\u2019s App Store users can enter their credit card details or scan their ID (NRIC or driving licence), while those using Microsoft Store can do either or a facial scan to prove their age. <\/p>\n

Galaxy Store users, on the other hand, will be prompted to verify their age when they open the app. Users who choose not to enter their credit card details will only be able to view and download age-appropriate content and features, said Samsung on its website. <\/p>\n

Google Play users need not manually verify themselves as machine learning technology is used to estimate a user\u2019s age by analysing account activity such as videos watched on YouTube. However, those who have been incorrectly identified as under 18 can scan their NRIC, enter their credit card details, or do a facial scan to verify their age.<\/p>\n

Tests done by ST on Apple\u2019s App Store found that a pop-up page is displayed before users are allowed to download a dating simulator, which requested that the existing credit card on file be used to verify that the user is above 18. Subsequent downloads of other apps rated 18+ did not ask for age verification.<\/p>\n

\"Apple<\/p>\n

Apple users who want to download an app rated 18+ will have to verify their age via credit card details or government ID. Google Play users who have been incorrectly estimated to be under 18 will be able to prove their age via a few methods.<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM APPLE\u2019S APP STORE, GOOGLE PLAY<\/p>\n

A 17-year-old who helped with the tests found that he could not access the download page for Tinder on Google Play, and was prompted to verify his age via credit card, government ID or by taking a selfie.\u00a0<\/p>\n

An added option also showed that Google can estimate his age by checking online data associated with his e-mail address.<\/p>\n

Microsoft taps third-party provider Yoti to collect data such as the user\u2019s selfie or NRIC, which is then deleted after the verification is complete. The firm will then notify Microsoft if the user is over or under 18, without giving up the user\u2019s full identity or biometric data.<\/p>\n

Those who verify their age through credit card details on the Galaxy Store and Huawei\u2019s AppGallery can choose to delete their card after the verification process is completed. <\/p>\n

\u201cCredit card details will be used solely for the purpose of age verification,\u201d said Huawei on its website. <\/p>\n

On its site, Apple said it does not store credit card or ID details unless users choose to save them for other purposes, such as adding a payment method to their account.<\/p>\n

Information collected by Google, such as one\u2019s NRIC or credit card details, is stored securely in the user\u2019s account or deleted a short time after successful verification, said Google.<\/p>\n

For instance, a photo of the user\u2019s NRIC will be deleted automatically after the user\u2019s date of birth is verified, said Google, adding that users can choose to cover their NRIC number in the photo.<\/p>\n

For facial scans, the company engages cryptography and biometrics firm Private ID to verify a user\u2019s age. <\/p>\n

\u201cGoogle provides to Private ID only a random identifier for your Google Account,\u201d said the firm, adding that no other data associated with one\u2019s account is shared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen age estimation is complete, Private ID shares with Google if it can confirm you\u2019re old enough. Your selfie is then deleted.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SINGAPORE \u2013 It is now mandatory for app stores in Singapore to screen and block people under 18…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":377326,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[61,60,202,80],"class_list":{"0":"post-377325","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mobile","8":"tag-ie","9":"tag-ireland","10":"tag-mobile","11":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=377325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/377325\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/377326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=377325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=377325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=377325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}