Once age checks live at the system level, every new mandate gets an easier ride.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n![\"Hand](\"https:\/\/media.reclaimthenet.org\/images\/2026\/10\/fWId0yBFb7Tw.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBy Ken Macon<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple is increasing its support of the digital ID age verification agenda and has released iOS 27.2, bringing a new way for Apple to verify your age: by scanning your face with an \u201cage-estimation model\u201d that will be fed by a selfie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is one of the ways in which Apple will check the age of its users, and it applies, as the company\u2019s support page states<\/u><\/a>, \u201cWhere required by law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe legal requirements that make this necessary in the US apply in Texas, and elsewhere in the world in Australia, Brazil, Singapore, South Korea, and the UK. The iOS update that introduces the new method of age verification was released on October 26<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nApple will ask for age verification when you create an Apple Account, \u201cupdate the software on your device, try to change certain safety settings, or try to download or purchase apps with an age rating of 18+.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Australia, Brazil, Singapore, and the UK, the selfie option is available, while in other places, Apple will ask for a credit card, a scan of an ID, or look at information associated with an Apple Account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple\u2019s explains that the selfie option works by letting the user \u201cCapture all four angles of your face by moving your head slowly right, left, up, and down.\u201d To increase the likelihood of the scan being successful, the company advises users to \u201cRemove anything that might cover your face, such as masks, hats, or sunglasses\u201d and to \u201cMake sure only your face is in the frame.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The models that will be used to estimate age from these selfies will run \u201cboth on-device and on Private Cloud Compute,\u201d Apple says, referring to a service it provides that \u201cextends the security and privacy of your Apple device into the cloud.\u201d The results will then be \u201ccombined on your device.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple promises that the selfie \u201cisn\u2019t accessible to anyone, not even Apple,\u201d and that \u201cOnce your age is confirmed, your selfie is deleted and isn\u2019t retained in any form.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple has not revealed the accuracy of the age-estimation model, what happens when it misidentifies an adult as a minor, or what record of the result is kept by the company. Those who are not verified as at least 18 by the model are advised to either try another selfie or use another method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other methods Apple will use to determine age are: looking at information associated with the user\u2019s account, such as whether they have a credit card on file or how long they have had their Apple Account; and scanning an ID. The image of the ID is \u201ckept for a short period of time to complete this process, after which it\u2019s deleted,\u201d Apple says, and adds that \u201cDebit cards and gift cards aren\u2019t supported.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In case the user is under 18, Apple says that \u201cIn some cases, certain actions might not be available until you turn 18.\u201d And if they refuse to provide age verification, they can still \u201ccontinue to use your device,\u201d but \u201cyou need to confirm before you can turn off certain safety settings or download apps that are rated 18+.\u201d Once the verification is complete, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to confirm again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Texas, the rules apply<\/u><\/a> to new Apple Accounts created in the state on or after June 4, 2026. There, under 18s must be in a Family Sharing group, and \u201cAsk to Buy and some Screen Time features are automatically turned on if you\u2019re under 18\u201d and cannot be switched off \u201ceven by parents or guardians.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn addition, \u201cFor all accounts, your age range is always shared with developers and can\u2019t be turned off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for the law that is behind all this in Texas<\/u><\/a>, Apple previously fought it, describing it as requiring the company to collect \u201csensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app.\u201d The law stayed in force after the Supreme Court declined to block it on July 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOther states have followed suit: Louisiana\u2019s version of the law<\/u><\/a> becomes effective on July 1, 2027, while Alabama\u2019s goes even further<\/u><\/a>, requiring every existing account in the state to be age-verified by October 1, 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMeanwhile, Apple executive chairman Tim Cook has since welcomed the EU KIDS Act<\/u><\/a>, which puts app stores and operating systems in its scope, saying that \u201cWe\u2019re very encouraged that the EU KIDS Act proposed by the (European) Commission has helped trigger a constructive conversation around this critical issue in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nMeta now asks Facebook users for a video selfie<\/u><\/a> in order to get a \u201cverified\u201d badge, but has not said how long it keeps the videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBy Ken Macon<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apple is increasing its support of the digital ID age verification agenda and has released iOS 27.2, bringing a new way for Apple to verify your age: by scanning your face with an \u201cage-estimation model\u201d that will be fed by a selfie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is one of the ways in which Apple will check the age of its users, and it applies, as the company\u2019s support page states<\/u><\/a>, \u201cWhere required by law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The legal requirements that make this necessary in the US apply in Texas, and elsewhere in the world in Australia, Brazil, Singapore, South Korea, and the UK. The iOS update that introduces the new method of age verification was released on October 26<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apple will ask for age verification when you create an Apple Account, \u201cupdate the software on your device, try to change certain safety settings, or try to download or purchase apps with an age rating of 18+.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Australia, Brazil, Singapore, and the UK, the selfie option is available, while in other places, Apple will ask for a credit card, a scan of an ID, or look at information associated with an Apple Account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apple\u2019s explains that the selfie option works by letting the user \u201cCapture all four angles of your face by moving your head slowly right, left, up, and down.\u201d To increase the likelihood of the scan being successful, the company advises users to \u201cRemove anything that might cover your face, such as masks, hats, or sunglasses\u201d and to \u201cMake sure only your face is in the frame.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The models that will be used to estimate age from these selfies will run \u201cboth on-device and on Private Cloud Compute,\u201d Apple says, referring to a service it provides that \u201cextends the security and privacy of your Apple device into the cloud.\u201d The results will then be \u201ccombined on your device.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apple promises that the selfie \u201cisn\u2019t accessible to anyone, not even Apple,\u201d and that \u201cOnce your age is confirmed, your selfie is deleted and isn\u2019t retained in any form.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apple has not revealed the accuracy of the age-estimation model, what happens when it misidentifies an adult as a minor, or what record of the result is kept by the company. Those who are not verified as at least 18 by the model are advised to either try another selfie or use another method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other methods Apple will use to determine age are: looking at information associated with the user\u2019s account, such as whether they have a credit card on file or how long they have had their Apple Account; and scanning an ID. The image of the ID is \u201ckept for a short period of time to complete this process, after which it\u2019s deleted,\u201d Apple says, and adds that \u201cDebit cards and gift cards aren\u2019t supported.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In case the user is under 18, Apple says that \u201cIn some cases, certain actions might not be available until you turn 18.\u201d And if they refuse to provide age verification, they can still \u201ccontinue to use your device,\u201d but \u201cyou need to confirm before you can turn off certain safety settings or download apps that are rated 18+.\u201d Once the verification is complete, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to confirm again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Texas, the rules apply<\/u><\/a> to new Apple Accounts created in the state on or after June 4, 2026. There, under 18s must be in a Family Sharing group, and \u201cAsk to Buy and some Screen Time features are automatically turned on if you\u2019re under 18\u201d and cannot be switched off \u201ceven by parents or guardians.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, \u201cFor all accounts, your age range is always shared with developers and can\u2019t be turned off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for the law that is behind all this in Texas<\/u><\/a>, Apple previously fought it, describing it as requiring the company to collect \u201csensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app.\u201d The law stayed in force after the Supreme Court declined to block it on July 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other states have followed suit: Louisiana\u2019s version of the law<\/u><\/a> becomes effective on July 1, 2027, while Alabama\u2019s goes even further<\/u><\/a>, requiring every existing account in the state to be age-verified by October 1, 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Apple executive chairman Tim Cook has since welcomed the EU KIDS Act<\/u><\/a>, which puts app stores and operating systems in its scope, saying that \u201cWe\u2019re very encouraged that the EU KIDS Act proposed by the (European) Commission has helped trigger a constructive conversation around this critical issue in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meta now asks Facebook users for a video selfie<\/u><\/a> in order to get a \u201cverified\u201d badge, but has not said how long it keeps the videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n