Article 16Obligations for providers of software application stores

1. Providers of software application stores shall put in place an age-rating system to allow to establish the age-appropriateness of software applications disseminated through their service. Such an age-rating system shall apply to each software application offered on the software application store and shall take due consideration of the evolving capacities of a minor.

2. Providers of software application stores shall not allow minors to access or purchase software applications that are inappropriate for their respective age in accordance with the age rating system established pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article. This obligation shall not affect the obligation of providers of services offered through software applications falling within the scope of Article 6.

3. Where the provider of a software application store becomes aware of software applications disseminated through its service that are subject to, or primarily consist of content that is subject to a higher minimum age under applicable Union law or national law in compliance with Union law than the one established in accordance with paragraph 1, the provider shall not allow minors below that higher minimum age from the Member State or States concerned to access or purchase such software applications.

4. In order to comply with paragraphs 2 and 3, providers of software applications stores shall assess the age of the recipient of the service, in accordance with Chapter V, including by means of the use of tools for guardians referred to in Article 20. Providers of software applications stores shall ensure that access to services referred to in paragraph 1 for minors below the age of 13 years is only enabled and controlled by means of the tools for guardians referred to in Article 20.

5. Providers of software application stores shall make publicly available information describing, in clear and accessible terms, the methodology, criteria and sources used for their age-rating systems.

6. Providers of software application stores shall allow the EU age verification solution using an EU proof of age attestation, certified as conforming with the EU Age Verification Scheme and included in the respective EU lists referred to in Article 30(1), to be offered in their store.