Google is expanding its Play Age Signals API globally, aiming to help Android developers provide safer, age-appropriate experiences for younger users. The technology, which relies on parental opt-in via Family Link, will be available worldwide by the end of 2026.
Google's expansion of its age-assurance technology addresses growing regulatory demands for child protection on app stores, aiming to balance user safety with privacy concerns while ensuring compliance with new laws.
Google is expanding its Play Age Signals API globally, a move designed to help Android developers provide safer and more age-appropriate experiences for younger users. This initiative comes as governments worldwide are increasingly implementing online age verification requirements for app stores.
The API, which Google began testing late last year, connects to the company's existing Family Link app. Parents can set age ranges for their children's managed accounts, allowing apps to tailor content and experiences accordingly. Google emphasizes that this age-sharing feature is opt-in and requires parental consent, with controls managed through the Family Link dashboard.
The Play Age Signals API does not require ID or selfie verification. It aims to comply with regulations without compromising user privacy. The technology will see a phased global rollout, starting with Australia and Canada by mid-August, and is expected to be available to developers in all countries, including the US, by the end of 2026.
While the system is not foolproof and determined minors could potentially bypass it, it addresses Google's compliance needs in jurisdictions mandating store-level age verification. The company, along with other tech firms, has previously opposed such laws, arguing against being app gatekeepers, but recent court decisions have allowed some state laws to take effect.