Google will expand age checks on Android worldwide till the end of the year(android-developers.googleblog.com)
407 points by dmantis 1 day ago | 492 comments
tl;dr: Google is rolling out its Play Age Signals API globally by year-end, starting with Australia and Canada in mid-August, expanding from its initial Brazil launch. The API lets parents share their child's age range with apps via the Family Link app, allowing developers to tailor content and safety features accordingly without requiring per-app configuration. Age sharing is opt-in and can be revoked at any time.
HN Discussion:
  • Age verification leads to mandatory accounts, reinforces monopolies, and erodes privacy
  • ~Regulation is needed since companies and parents have failed, but data abuse risks remain
  • ~The API design is privacy-conscious but underlying verification requirements are flawed
  • The real motive is ID verification and ad-targeting revenue, not protecting children
  • Google's implementation is too complex/partial and users should abandon Google entirely