Google Brings Age-Assurance Technology to Android Developers Worldwide

Google is preparing to boost its response to Apple’s age-assurance features, announcing that its Play Signal API will be available to users worldwide by the end of 2026. Currently accessible in Brazil, this technology allows Android developers to identify younger users of their apps to provide safer, age-appropriate experiences.

The API is set to initially launch in Australia and Canada by mid-August, before expanding globally to all markets by year’s end.

This announcement comes amid rising demands from lawmakers and regulators in numerous countries, advocating for stronger protections for minors in app stores. For example, Apple rolled out its age-verification tools globally in February to comply with increasing age-verification requirements.

In line with Apple’s strategy, Google’s technology enables developers to assess a user’s age range without needing sensitive details like their date of birth. This system permits parents to share their child’s age range directly with apps, while adults can provide their age upon request from app developers for more personalized experiences.

Parents won’t need to manage this information for each app separately. To streamline the process, Google integrates these controls into its parental controls dashboard, Family Link. Once provided, any developer incorporating age-range data can utilize this signal to modify their apps accordingly.

However, Google underscores that sharing age ranges is not automatic; parents must opt in by supplying the information first.

This feature enhances other safety tools available on Google Play, such as those restricting a child’s ability to discover certain apps. Additionally, parents can use Google Play’s Family Link app to oversee their child’s screen time, approve app downloads, and set content restrictions with a PIN.