Provision record
Apple · Apple App Store Review Guidelines · View original document ↗

Kids Category apps must not include external links or purchases

High severity High confidence Explicit document language Common · 245 of 352 platforms

Key Facts · in the document’s own words

What must Kids Category apps not include unless those features are reserved for a designated area behind a parental gate?
“These apps must not include links out of the app, purchasing opportunities, or other distractions to kids unless reserved for a designated area behind a parental gate.”
Version CA-V-003543, captured June 9, 2026 · live source ↗
Our reading, not the document’s words
Apple requires that Kids Category apps not include links out of the app, purchasing opportunities, or other distractions to kids, unless those features are reserved for a designated area behind a parental gate.
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This analysis describes what Apple's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This requirement protects children in Kids Category apps from commercial and external content by default, with access possible only through a parental control mechanism.

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Interpretive note: The term 'other distractions to kids' is subjective and undefined in the excerpt, leaving its scope uncertain beyond the named examples of links and purchases.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Parents can expect that Kids Category apps will not expose children to external links, purchasing prompts, or distracting content unless those elements are locked behind a parental gate.

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See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
These apps must not include links out of the app, purchasing opportunities, or other distractions to kids unless reserved for a designated area behind a parental gate.

Excerpt from Apple's App Store Review Guidelines

Provision details

Document information
Document
Apple App Store Review Guidelines
Entity
Apple
Date stated by the document
June 8, 2026
As printed in Apple’s text (version CA-V-003543), not a ConductAtlas date.
Tracking information
First captured by ConductAtlas
March 6, 2026
Text quoted from version
CA-V-003543, captured June 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-018784
Document ID
CA-D-000025
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Extracted-text SHA-256 (version CA-V-003543)
d6f788d9cb5c7f40c825f7140b5817478fa8dc9f189b720069a20e53c60a29df
Analysis generated
July 9, 2026 03:44 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Excerpt found verbatim in version CA-V-003543 (checked Oct. 5, 2026)
Citation Record
Entity: Apple
Document: Apple App Store Review Guidelines
Record ID: CA-P-018784
Version: CA-V-003543
Captured: 2026-06-09 00:07:29 UTC
SHA-256: d6f788d9cb5c7f40…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/apple/apple-app-store-review-guidelines/provision/CA-P-018784/kids-category-apps-must-not-include-external-links-or-purchases/
Accessed: Oct. 11, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Apple's Kids Category apps must not include external links or purchases clause do?

This requirement protects children in Kids Category apps from commercial and external content by default, with access possible only through a parental control mechanism.

How does this clause affect you?

Parents can expect that Kids Category apps will not expose children to external links, purchasing prompts, or distracting content unless those elements are locked behind a parental gate.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 245 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Apple?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Apple.