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Apple has introduced a new requirement for UK iPhone users, mandating them to confirm they are 18 or older to use certain services. This move, believed to be a first for a European market, comes as part of a broader effort to protect children online. The age verification process can be completed by uploading a credit card or scanning an ID, such as a driving license or national ID. Ofcom, the online regulator, has welcomed the change, calling it “a real win for children and families” and part of a wider drive to “keep young people away from harmful content”. The update is part of a software update and aims to restrict access to certain services and features for users under 18. However, some users have expressed concerns about the privacy implications of uploading personal information for age verification. Apple has assured users that if they already have an account, they can confirm their age with a payment method on file or other eligible methods. The company was unable to immediately specify which services, features, or actions would be inaccessible without age confirmation. This development follows the introduction of age verification gates on many web services, including pornography websites, to comply with the Online Safety Act. Ofcom noted that Apple’s decision makes the UK one of the first countries to receive new child safety protections on devices. The watchdog plans to report on the use of app stores by children and evaluate the effectiveness of age assurance by app store providers.