Google launches new child protection feature: sharing age group instead of date of birth

Google has begun rolling out a new feature in the Google Play Store that allows apps to determine the age group of young users without sharing personal data such as birth dates, in a move aimed at providing a more child-friendly experience and enhancing parental control tools.

The new feature, called the Play Age Signals API, categorizes users into only four age groups, helping developers tailor content and user interfaces to suit different ages. Google confirmed that sharing this information is entirely optional, and parents can manage it through the Family Link app, with the ability to refuse or restrict data sharing with specific apps.

The company also emphasized that age information must not be used for advertising, marketing, or user behavior analysis, warning that violations of these rules could result in apps being removed from the Google Play Store. The feature is currently available to developers in Brazil, with plans to expand to Canada and Australia in the coming weeks before gradually rolling out in other markets.