Exclusive | Parents pressure Apple to improve App Store security for kids ahead of iPhone 16 launch

As Apple unveils its AI-powered iPhone, concerned parents and Internet safety advocates are calling for CEO Tim Cook to step up efforts to protect children from dangerous content in the App Store, The Post has learned.

In a petition organized by the advocacy groups ParentsTogether and the Heat Initiative, more than 7,800 parents, guardians and other individuals called on Cook to “implement independent, third-party review and verification of app age ratings in the Apple App Store”.

Disturbing examples include an AI “nudifying” app that until recently was rated 4+ and available for download, according to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. Elsewhere, a lawsuit filed against TikTok in Iowa argues that the app is incorrectly rated 12+ on the App Store, despite exposing children to “sexual content, self-harm, illegal drug use and worse.”

87% of parents want Apple and other device makers to invest more resources in protecting children from dangerous content, according to the results of a survey commissioned by the groups.

“Right now, parents can’t trust Apple’s ratings because both Apple and app developers have a financial incentive to make their products available to more kids,” said Shelby Knox, Director of Campaigns for Online Safety for ParentsTogether.

The group’s survey found that 83% of parents fear their children will be exposed to “inappropriate content and unsafe interactions with peers, adults and strangers online” through smart devices.

“Parents must be able to trust Apple, which means Apple needs independent third-party review and verification of app ratings, such as movie, TV or video game ratings, so for parents to make informed decisions about what is best for their children.” added Knox.

Seventy-four percent of respondents said Apple and other firms should set age restrictions as set by independent experts.

The iPhone 16 was unveiled on Monday during a much-anticipated event at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino.

The new phone has been heralded by Cook as a “game changer” and the “next big step” for the company as it looks to reverse a slump in sales. The device features an AI suite called “Apple Intelligence” and a partnership with ChatGPT creator OpenAI.

Sarah Gardner, CEO of the Heat Initiative, said the concept of independent app ratings is “very popular” with parents.

“Movies, TV shows and video games are all subject to independent review and ratings by organizations with no direct financial stake in the product, so it’s just common sense that the nearly two million apps in the Apple App Store should go through a process of similarly. Gardner said in a statement.

The group polled 1,007 parents with children in grades kindergarten through 12^th scores with access to a smartphone or tablet. It was conducted by Bellwether Research from August 17 to August 23 via text and telephone questionnaires.

When reached for comment, Apple noted that age ratings appear prominently on product pages within the App Store.

Developers adhere to various trust and security standards, including a requirement that they provide information about the nature and content of their apps when they submit them for inclusion in the App Store, the company said.

Apple also offers parental control features such as download approvals and screen time limits, the company added.

The iPhone launch comes as Apple and other Big Tech giants face intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill over their alleged failure to protect children online. Legislative efforts are underway in Congress and within individual states to hold companies accountable.

Apple has a history of shirking responsibility for the issue, according to its critics.

In 2021, lawmakers in Louisiana proposed a bill that would have required Apple to enforce age restrictions that would have blocked minors from downloading certain apps.

Apple responded by threatening to cancel production of a Will Smith movie in the state if they didn’t back down, the Wall Street Journal reported. The app store provision was later removed.

Apple has argued that age verification requirements should fall on social media companies and claims that users’ privacy would be compromised if the firm was forced to share its users’ ages with third-party apps.

The company denied lobbying lawmakers for the bill.