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aris25
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

iOS age verification in Australia blocks features and raises privacy concerns

iOS based age verification in Australia is bricking people’s devices. Users are given a limited choice between providing biometrics, a credit card or a government issued ID to prove they’re 18+ on an Apple device. Without doing so, the device blocks; web traffic, 18+ apps and messages. Legacy accounts that have been held for over 18 years are also asked to verify their age, this defies all logic. Apple needs to add manual verification for accounts in store for privacy conscious individuals who don’t want an identifier linked to their account. Full on device processing of biometrics should also be in place to protect privacy. Legacy accounts should also not require any age verification by default. Why has Apple botched this so bad?

Posted on Nov 10, 2026 2:13 PM

3 replies

LD150
User level: Level 10 (107,674 points)

Nov 10, 2026 2:24 PM in response to aris25

Get a credit card.

Johnathan Burger
User level: Level 9 (72,811 points)

Nov 10, 2026 2:42 PM in response to aris25

Take it up with your government.

Apple has to comply with the law.

Mac Jim ID
User level: Level 10 (105,996 points)

Nov 10, 2026 2:31 PM in response to aris25

Update to at least iOS 27.2 and try the selfie option. If you are concerned about your Privacy, then read on.

  • To confirm that you're an adult, your selfie is analyzed using age-estimation models that run both on-device and on Private Cloud Compute, which extends the security and privacy of your Apple device into the cloud. The results are combined on your device. When your selfie is analyzed on your device and on Private Cloud Compute, it isn't accessible to anyone, not even Apple. Once your age is confirmed, your selfie is deleted and isn't retained in any form.

Confirm that you're an adult with a selfie - Apple Support

  • The data being processed in Private Cloud Compute is not stored or made accessible to Apple. It is processed only to fulfill your request, after which point the results are returned securely to your device and are not retained by Private Cloud Compute.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256392217