Google announced the expansion of its age-verification technology to Android app developers worldwide, in a move aimed at providing a safer digital environment for children and teenagers amid growing pressure from governments and regulatory bodies to enhance online protection for minors.
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The company confirmed that the Play Signal API, which is already available in Brazil, will roll out to Australia and Canada by mid-August before being launched globally in all markets by the end of 2026.
This step comes at a time when many countries are moving toward enforcing stricter laws regarding user age verification and requiring app stores to take additional measures to protect children, according to a report published by TechCrunch and reviewed by Al Arabiya Business.
Apple had launched similar tools globally for age verification last February in response to new legislation aimed at protecting minors.
Google emphasizes that its new system does not require apps to access sensitive personal data, such as a user's date of birth.
Instead, parents can share their children's age group directly with apps, and adult users can also share their own age category when requested by an application, allowing for an age-appropriate user experience.
To simplify the process, parents will not need to adjust settings for each app individually, as age-group information will be managed through a central control panel within the Family Link app.
Once this data is entered, any developer using the Play Signal API can utilize it to tailor the app experience according to the user's age.
Google clarified that this information will not be shared automatically, as parents must enable the feature and input the age-group data themselves.
The Play Signal API joins a suite of other security tools available on the Google Play Store, which allow developers to restrict the visibility of their apps to children if the content is age-inappropriate.
Additionally, the Family Link app continues to offer a set of parental control tools, such as setting screen time limits, approving app downloads, and enabling content filters or protecting certain apps with a PIN code—giving parents greater control over their children's digital experience.
Al Arabiya
