Google announced on Wednesday that its Play Age Signals API will be expanded globally by the end of 2026. This technology, which is already available in Brazil, allows Android developers to identify the age ranges of their app users to offer safer, age-appropriate experiences.
The API will first launch in Australia and Canada by mid-August, before a full global rollout to all markets by year-end. This expansion comes as regulators worldwide are increasingly pushing app stores to enhance protections for minors.
Similar to Apple's age-verification tools, Google's technology enables developers to obtain a user's age range without needing personal data like a date of birth. Instead, parents can share their child's age range directly with apps, and adults can also share their age when prompted for customised experiences.
Parents can manage this sharing through Google's Family Link parental controls dashboard, centralising the process. However, age ranges are not shared by default; parents must opt in by entering the information initially.