Latest news with #appdevelopers
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Apple broadens App Store's age rating system
Apple is expanding its age rating system for apps. The company on Thursday said it has updated its age rating system to add 13+, 16+, and 18+ ratings to the existing slate of 4+ and 9+ ratings, and remove the 12+ and 17+ age ranges. In addition, app developers will need to answer a new set of age rating questions to help identify the sensitive content in their app. Developers will also be able to update their apps' age ratings to one of the new options, if needed. The company says it has automatically updated all apps and games across the App Store to align with the new system, which is available in the beta versions of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and watchOS 26. The public betas went live yesterday, and the general release will roll out this September to all customers. As part of the updated system, developers will need to inform Apple about their in-app controls and app capabilities, answer questions about medical and wellness topics, and disclose whether their app or game contains violent themes. Apple will then calculate the appropriate age rating, which developers can view and modify in App Store Connect. The ratings are intended to offer parents more specific guidance about the apps their kids want to download, and will prevent kids from installing apps that exceed their age range. On Apple's side, the App Store also won't feature certain apps in areas like the editorial stories, Today, Games, and Apps tabs if they're not age-appropriate for the child using the device. The expanded age ranges are part of a broader update around child safety initiatives announced earlier this year. For parents, Apple is making it easier to set up child accounts and share information about their kids' ages. This data will be shared with app developers to help provide age-appropriate content. (Some of the changes for child accounts were first made available in the public beta of 18.4, out earlier this year.) Apple introduces new child safety initiatives, including an age-checking system for apps App Store product listings will also be updated to include more information to help guide guardians' decisions about whether or not an app or game is right for their child or teen. For instance, guardians will be informed if the app features user-generated content or ads, both of which could expose younger children to adult content. Plus, they'll be informed if an app offers built-in parental controls. Increasing an app's age rating could reduce its visibility and distribution, which could encourage app developers to introduce parental controls or other age-appropriate experiences. The changes to the App Store arrive as legislative disputes grow at both the state and federal levels about how children should be protected online, with U.S. states introducing new bills and laws that would require app store operators to check kids' ages to get parental consent for downloading apps. Apple and Google would prefer that the app makers themselves handle the age-verification process, but larger tech companies like Meta have lobbied for app stores to do the verification. Apple's solution is a system that will protect the child's personal information, like their birth date, by offering a developer API that gives them access to the age range information they need to customize their app experience appropriately. Because this information would be provided by the parent during the set-up of a new device, it's more likely to be accurate than if kids entered their birthday or age into an app directly, as kids may lie about their age to access an app's full experience. However, for this to work, developers will have to opt to integrate with the new API. Sign in to access your portfolio
The Guardian
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
UK competition watchdog to act over Apple and Google's mobile platforms
A UK watchdog has said it intends to take action to open up Apple and Google's mobile platforms to more competition to benefit consumers, businesses and app developers. The Competition and Markets Authority has proposed to designate the tech companies as having 'strategic market status' – as they hold an 'effective duopoly' for access on mobile devices – and now intends to force the two companies to make changes to their mobile platforms. The regulator said that it had published 'roadmaps' for Apple and Google and that it would take a 'proportionate, pro-innovation' approach to 'promote competition in digital markets while protecting UK consumers and businesses from unfair or harmful practices'. The CMA said it would, in the first instance, focus on areas such as the tech companies' app stores – which have been criticised by developers over issues including fees of up to 30% for transactions – to ensure a 'fair and transparent' app review process, as well as making sure that smartphone users could 'steer' away from app stores to make purchases. The watchdog, which launched an investigation into the US tech companies earlier this year, will also address restrictions Apple imposes on digital wallets to ensure that competing financial technology companies can compete. 'Apple and Google's mobile platforms are both critical to the UK economy – playing an important role in all our lives, from banking and shopping to entertainment and education,' said Sarah Cardell, the chief executive of the CMA. 'But our investigation so far has identified opportunities for more innovation and choice. Time is of the essence: as competition agencies and courts globally take action in these markets, it's essential the UK doesn't fall behind,' she said. However, the CMA said it did not at this stage intend to force major changes such as requiring Apple to allow alternative app stores, or alternative payment methods for in-app purchases beyond its existing payment system. Tom Smith, a competition lawyer at Geradin Partners and a former CMA director, said the competition watchdog was 'ducking' taking major decisions 'which might draw political heat'. 'The CMA is implementing the regime in a thoughtful and authoritative way, but it is doing it more timidly than it should be,' he said. 'It is proposing some useful measures that would open up competition in digital markets, but it is ducking issues that would really threaten the entrenched positions of Apple and Google, and which might therefore draw political heat. For example, they have postponed the possibility for alternative app stores to challenge the App Store's monopoly on Apple devices.' Tim Sweeney, the founder and chief executive of Fortnite maker Epic, which has had legal battles with Google and Apple in the US, criticised the CMA's approach as 'surprisingly weak'. 'The monopolised UK app store economy has all of the vibrancy of a Soviet supermarket,' he said in a post on X. 'And consideration of unblocking competing app stores is delayed to 2026.' The company said it could not launch its Epic Games Store on Apple's iOS platform in the UK – as it was doing in EU countries and later this year in Brazil and Japan – and that availability of its globally popular Fortnite game on Apple phones in the UK was 'now uncertain'. The UK competition watchdog announced its investigations into Apple and Google's mobile platforms in January. When the investigation was launched, the CMA said that virtually all smartphones sold in the UK were pre-installed with Apple's iOS or Google's Android operating systems, while their app stores and browsers had privileged positions over third-party products and services. Apple's Safari and Google's Chrome dominate the mobile browser market on iPhones and Android devices. The CMA investigation was launched days after the appointment of Doug Gurr, the former country manager of Amazon UK, as its new chair. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion The government, which has pushed for a shake-up of regulation to kickstart UK growth, was forced to deny it was 'in the pocket of big tech' after the appointment. Tech firms, publishers and the consumer watchdog Which? subsequently wrote to the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, raising concerns that Gurr's appointment posed a threat to the independence of the CMA. Gurr said he would make the CMA's investigations into mergers and takeovers 'simple and rapid', and Cardell said in February that a change of strategic direction was needed. Apple responded to the CMA's decision to act by saying the proposed new rules could hamper innovation and threaten privacy and security. 'We're concerned the rules the UK is now considering would undermine the privacy and security protections that our users have come to expect, hamper our ability to innovate, and force us to give away our technology for free to foreign competitors,' a spokesperson said. 'We will continue to engage with the regulator to make sure they fully understand these risks.' Google said its products were open-source and offered choice, security and innovation for users. 'That's why today's announcement is disappointing and unwarranted,' said Oliver Bethell, the senior director, competition, at Google. The company said that in 2022 its Android operating system generated more than £9.9bn in revenue for British developers, supporting more than 457,000 jobs. 'It is therefore crucial that any new regulation is evidence-based, proportionate and does not become a roadblock to growth in the UK,' Bethell said. If a company is designated as having 'strategic market status', that status can last for a five-year period, and breaches of conduct rules can result in fines of up to 10% of global turnover.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
TikTok returns with the second edition of Apps Summit
Riyadh, KSA – TikTok, the global leading content platform, concluded its second annual Apps Summit: Limitless Edition in Dubai last week, bringing together over 150 industry leaders from 19 countries. The summit unveiled TikTok's latest solutions and strategies aimed at driving stronger and scalable growth and performance for Mobile App companies. The event took place against a backdrop of accelerated mobile momentum. According to the global Digital Market Index by Sensor Tower [1], in 2024 consumers downloaded 136 billion apps, and the purchase revenue growth users made in-app reached a record $150 billion, driven largely by non-gaming categories like entertainment, productivity, and photo and video. Mobile users now engage with 26 apps per month, reflecting the growing centrality of mobile phones in everyday life. Attendees spanned a broad spectrum of industries and markets and included founders of the leading app publishing houses, senior marketing leads, app analytics experts, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy representatives in addition to TikTok's own subject-matter experts and market-leading partners, all gathering to explore how TikTok can drive long-term value, not just downloads, for mobile apps in the region and beyond. Contextual paths to growth & value for Apps brands At the Apps Summit, TikTok experts highlighted four key strategies for app brands looking to drive growth and diversification. The first is expanding into international markets; exporting brands grow 15% faster than those focused solely on domestic audiences [2]. The second involves scaling creative output by improving both the quantity and quality of content, localising for different regions, and using tools like TikTok One and Symphony to streamline production. Localisation is particularly important, as many consumers prioritise content in their own language over price when making purchasing decisions [3]. The third strategy focuses on expanding audience reach by combining upper- and lower-funnel marketing to boost conversions, reduce acquisition costs, and maximise campaign impact. Finally, effective growth requires smarter measurement. Relying only on last-click based attribution overlooks the complex path to conversion, where users typically engage with multiple touchpoints. Tools like TikTok's Conversion Lift Study help brands understand the true impact of their efforts and identify which tactics and channels contribute most to business results, including organic growth. "Around the world, digital adoption and mobile-first habits have become an everyday part of life.' said Shadi Kandil, General Manager, Global Business Solutions, Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Central and South Asia at TikTok. "The TikTok Apps Summit 2025 gave our partners the playbook for sustainable growth, expanding to new markets, tapping into communities, using creative tech and innovative measurement solutions to go further, faster. Our focus remains on empowering partners with the products and insights they need to drive meaningful, measurable impact on and off the platform." Looking ahead The TikTok Apps Summit 2025 reaffirmed one key belief: app marketers, including businesses in MENA, are ready to lead globally, and with TikTok, they have the tools to think bigger, localize better, and grow smarter. The next wave of app success stories will be built on innovation, geographic expansion, measurement, and community-powered creativity. About TikTok TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok One TikTok One is an all-in-one creative platform, providing access to millions of creators, connecting with production partners and uncovering creative insights. TikTok Symphony Symphony is TikTok's suite of ad solutions powered by generative AI. With Symphony, businesses of all sizes, creators and agencies can blend human imagination with AI-powered efficiency to help scale content development, creativity, and productivity on TikTok. TikTok Conversion Lift Study Conversion Lift Study measures your campaign's true impact on business outcomes. It informs strategy and budget decisions to drive effective business growth and answers the question of whether your TikTok ads generate incremental growth for your business. References [1] TikTok Marketing Science METAP, State of Mobile "TikTok Edition, Conducted by Sensor Tower, Global, 2025 [2] Source: Institute for International Economics [3] Common Sense Advisory Study For media inquiries, please contact: Current Global – tiktok@ TikTok MENA – About TikTok: TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and its offices include New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
