Latest news with #AppStoreConnect
Jordan News
28-07-2025
- Jordan News
Apple Updates Age Rating System to Better Protect Young Users - Jordan News
Apple has announced a comprehensive update to its App Store age rating system, adding three new categories: 13+, 16+, and 18+, to complement the existing 4+ and 9+ classifications. اضافة اعلان The update is designed to strengthen parental controls and protect children and teens from accessing inappropriate content, coinciding with the anticipated launch of iOS 26 and other Apple system updates this coming fall. Previously, Apple's age classifications for teens were limited to just 12+ and 17+. The new system introduces more precise categories that reflect varying maturity levels, enabling more accurate content labeling. For example, apps with mild violence or fantasy content can now be clearly distinguished from those dealing with sensitive topics or user-generated content. Developer Role in the New System Alongside the update, Apple redesigned the age rating questionnaire within the App Store Connect platform. Developers are now required to provide detailed information about the content of their apps, including moderation tools, medical or violent content, ads, and user-generated material. This ensures more accurate app ratings and allows developers to update the classifications if necessary. Apple has already reclassified existing apps based on previously submitted developer questionnaires. Developers can review and adjust their app ratings as needed. The new system also adapts to local legal and cultural standards to ensure a safe and age-appropriate experience across regions. Expanding Child and Teen Safety Tools The updated rating system is part of Apple's broader initiative to enhance child safety across its platforms. New tools include easier creation of child accounts, the ability to share age information with apps (with parental consent), and features like PermissionKit that let parents manage in-app permissions. Additional protections for teens include blurred sensitive images in Messages and content filtering in FaceTime. Rather than relying on sensitive data like birth dates, Apple now uses a new API that enables apps to receive age information with parental approval—striking a balance between privacy protection and compliance with child safety demands. Apple reaffirmed its opposition to certain U.S. state laws, such as those in Utah and Texas, which it views as threats to user privacy. Implementation Timeline Developers have until January 2026 to complete the updated rating questionnaires in App Store Connect. Once completed, the new age ratings will be displayed on app pages to provide more transparency and content accuracy. These changes are already appearing in beta versions of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, visionOS 26, and watchOS 26, with the official rollout expected in September alongside the launch of the iPhone 17. This marks a significant shift in Apple's approach to child and teen protection in the digital space. It equips parents with stronger control tools, gives developers clearer guidelines, and provides users with a safer experience—all while respecting privacy. At a time when tech companies are under growing legislative pressure to verify the ages of underage users, Apple demonstrates its ability to balance safety with digital freedom.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
At WWDC, Apple says it will use AI to tag apps to improve discoverability on the App Store
Apple will begin using AI technology to power the discovery of apps on the App Store, the company announced at this week's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 25). In a session focused on updates to App Store Connect, its app distribution platform for developers, the company announced it will introduce App Store Tags — labels that highlight specific features and functionalities found in an app. These tags will initially be generated by Apple's large language models using various sources, like the app's metadata. They'll then be human-reviewed before being applied to apps on the App Store. Apple customers will be able to use these tags when searching for apps on the App Store, where the tags appear alongside the categories on the search page and the apps that appear in the search results. Apple says the new tags will help surface information that's often buried in app listings, like the app's App Store description, category, metadata, or even in its screenshots. The tags, Apple believes, will help users more easily find the apps that offer the functionality they're looking for, while also giving developers a better idea about how their apps are being discovered. Today, consumers find apps through a number of App Store features, including its editorial pieces on the Today tab, collections curated by the App Store's editorial team, by browsing app categories, or using App Store Search. Apple also monetizes the App Store with ads that can appear on the Today tab, the Search tab, on product pages, and in its search results. When App Store users tap on one of the new tags, they'll be taken to a new page offering a curated collection of all the apps and games that offer similar features or functionality — an extension to the App Store's existing feature that points users to apps they 'might also like,' found at the bottom of individual listings. Although the tags themselves are AI-generated and reviewed, developers will ultimately have the final word on which tags are associated with their apps. A new information page will be available in the App Store Connect software, where they can manage tags or deselect those they don't want to show up on their app's product page. Apple is already using AI on its App Store to summarize an app's reviews by combining information into a short paragraph. Tags aren't the only improvements coming to the App Store. Apple says that developers will also be able to create custom product pages that appear when a user searches for apps using particular keywords. It's also improving its app 'nutrition labels' feature; expanding its lineup of app age ranges (there are now five); and extending offer codes to consumables, non-consumables, and non-renewing subscriptions.
