Apple age verification system reportedly restricting website access too

Apple’s age verification, which was added with iOS 26.4 beta in some regions, was enforced to block the downloading of some apps. However, it seems to be blocking access to websites as well. Users are now facing restrictions when they try to access NSFW content or websites such as Tinder. It’s not just Safari that’s affected; third-party browsers are as well, signifying an OS-level age verification system at play.

We’ve seen a lot of age verification-related problems in 2026, specifically in the UK. Meanwhile, Australia has banned social media for people under the age of 16 as well. Based on official documentation, the countries included in the new app download-blocking system are the UK, Australia, Brazil, and Singapore. Some users from Utah and Louisiana see these as well. However, the new rules about website blocking are seemingly UK-only.

The system of age verification is tied to Content and Privacy restrictions, and you cannot access certain websites unless you verify your age. There’s no option to turn it off without verifying your age.

Verification occurs through your Apple account. For now, we don’t know whether such restrictions will only apply to the UK. It’s happening in several countries, but the driving force is the Online Safety Act in the UK.

Reactions about this are mixed, with some highlighting privacy concerns, and others arguing that it’s necessary to protect children online. One could argue that Apple has a privacy-centric approach to age verification and that it’s not a problem, but concerns about Government access remain.

If a company as huge as Apple has enforced age verification in the UK, we might see this trend continue throughout the year with other apps, websites, and companies. There’s an official announcement from Apple regarding age verification for some apps in some countries. However, they have not mentioned anything about blocking websites, which is what’s actively happening.

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