Google Play Store’s Shocking New Rule: Why You’ll Soon Need to Prove Your Age Before Downloading Apps

Google is tightening its safety measures with the rollout of a new age verification system on the Play Store. The option will force users to verify that they are 18 years of age before downloading some apps. Such a step signifies Google becoming increasingly concerned with user protection, especially with the emergence of new laws on child safety in different regions, such as the United States.

What the New Age Verification System Means for Users

The new system will require users to confirm their age with a government ID, selfie, credit card, or third-party services such as Verifymy.io, which can approximate age based on email activity. The feature will not be available to all people immediately, because Google will implement the rule and gradually adjust it depending on local regulations.

Although not all countries will mandate verification and they will have individualized systems to meet the requirements of privacy and safety in the region.

This approach brings the Play Store in line with similar measures already implemented on YouTube, reinforcing Google’s broader goal of making its ecosystem safer for younger users.

Driven by New State-Level Digital Laws

The timing of this rollout isn’t random. It follows the introduction of new laws in the digital age by a number of states in the US that force the app stores to check the age of their users and consent on behalf of the minors. In their reports, Texas will have its app store law in place on January 1, 2026, and Utah on May 7, and Louisiana on July 1 of the same year. Such laws force both Google and Apple to conform to the stringent rules on age verification and data sharing methods aimed at protecting children on the internet.

Apple has claimed to support safer child safety, but has cautioned that the law of Texas has the potential to jeopardize the privacy of the user, since it will compel app stores to gather sensitive personal data on all their users, and not just the minors.

Google Expands Verification for Developers Too

In addition to user verification, developer identity checks will also be implemented by Google in more countries. Beginning in 2013, Android application developers in Brazil, Thailand, and Indonesia will have to authenticate their identities before launching apps. By 2027, a global implementation of this policy is likely to be seen, which will make the Play Store a more transparent and secure environment, both to the users and the developers.