Microsoft removes more than 90,000 apps from Windows Store for not complying with age rating system

Microsoft has reportedly removed more than 90,000 apps that did not comply with its age rating system from Windows Store.

Earlier this year, Microsoft had introduced a single age rating system in Dev Center, wherein developers were required to select an age rating during the submission process. This workflow is based on the International Age Rating Coalition's (IARC) age rating system.

The IARC is a rating and age classification system for the games and apps that are digitally delivered. IARC makes it easier to obtain age and content rating for apps across the globe, which in turn makes it easier to offer apps in more markets.

All Windows developers have to do is fill out a questionnaire about the content of their app while submitting it on the Store. Age ratings are then generated for the following:

• Classification Board (ACB) in Australia
• Classificação Indicativa (ClassInd) in Brazil
• Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in North America
• Pan European Game Information (PEGI) in Europe
• Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) in Germany
• International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) for general purpose

Microsoft kicked off the process in late September and intimated developers that their apps were being unpublished from the Windows Store, according to Neowin. The review note stated:

It appears the company is progressively working on removing non-complaint apps and the process has started from the Italian Windows Store.

On 26 September the Italian Windows Store had 329,507 apps, which was brought down to 239,216 on 19 October, WindowsBlogItalia reported.

This suggests a loss of 90,291 apps, which is about 27% of the total apps. At the moment it is unclear whether the number would continue to decline.