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Apple imposes age requirements for 18+ apps in Singapore Apple users in Singapore are now subject to new age verification requirements when downloading certain applications. In a developer update published on Tuesday (24 Feb), Apple announced that it would block users in Singapore from downloading apps rated 18+ unless they have been confirmed to be adults. The measures took effect the same day. 18+ apps require adult verification Under the new rules, users attempting to download apps with an 18+ rating must confirm that they are of age through what Apple described as “reasonable methods”. “The App Store will perform this confirmation automatically,” Apple said.   Source: daimanphoto on Canva, for illustration purposes only While Apple conducts its own age verification before allowing downloads of 18+ apps, developers may still have separate legal obligations to independently verify users’ ages within their apps. To support compliance, Apple updated its Declared Age Range Application Programming Interface (API), available on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The API allows developers to receive an age category signal, such as whether a user is a minor or an adult, without collecting their exact date of birth. The move aligns with age assurance laws in several jurisdictions, including Brazil and Australia, as well as the US states of Utah and Louisiana. Move follows IMDA Code of Practice The change follows the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services, which took effect on 31 March 2025.   Source: Sanket Mishra on Unsplash, for illustration purposes only Under the Code, designated app stores such as the Apple App Store and Google Play Store must implement system-level measures to reduce users’ exposure to harmful content, particularly for children. This includes putting in place age assurance measures to prevent young users from accessing age-inappropriate apps, including those rated 18+. In Parliament on 18 Feb 2025, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said app stores are expected, at minimum, to identify users under 18 and restrict access to their highest age-rated apps. While the Code does not mandate specific technologies, measures such as facial age estimation may be used.   She added that regulations alone cannot prevent parents or adults from helping children bypass age checks, highlighting the importance of parental guidance.

Unlicensed driver arrested after running roadblock and leading police on car chase in Paya Lebar A 34-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday (24 Feb) after leading police on an hour-long chase. Muhammad Danial Jalaludin failed to stop at a police roadblock in Paya Lebar before abandoning his car in Punggol. He was later found to be driving without a valid licence. Source: SPF Man speeds through roadblock, allegedly drove with cloned number plate According to a Singapore Police Force (SPF) press release, police officers conducted a roadblock along Airport Road towards Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway on 17 Feb. At around 2.45 am, a red BMW sedan failed to stop and sped through the checkpoint.   Source: Use Your Road Sense (Traffic Police) on Facebook, for illustration purposes only He then continued to drive dangerously, running several red lights, as officers pursued him, said SPF. Danial eventually abandoned his car in the vicinity of Edgedale Plains in an attempt to flee on foot. Man identified through CCTV footage, subsequently arrested and charged With the aid of CCTV cameras, Traffic Police officers managed to establish Danial’s identity and arrested him on 24 Feb. Preliminary investigations reveal that Danial was believed to be driving a deregistered car with a cloned number plate and without a valid driving licence, said SPF. Source: SPF Commander of Traffic Police, Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) of Police Daniel Tan, commended TP officers for their diligence in tracking down the driver.   “The Police will spare no effort to bring to justice motorists who operate deregistered vehicles or commit serious traffic offences without valid driving licences”, SAC Tan said. According to the Straits Times, Danial was handed 21 charges on 26 Feb. Source: MS News The charges include dangerous driving, evasion of a police roadblock, driving without a valid licence, and using a deregistered vehicle. He was also charged with allegedly using a vehicle with a false number plate and driving a vehicle without insurance coverage. The case has been adjourned to March 26, where Danial is expected to face additional charges.   Under Section 26(8) of the Police Force Act 2004, for evading a police roadblock, Danial faces a fine of up to $10,000, a jail term of up to seven years, or both. He also faces extra jail time, fines, and disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles as a result of the other charges.