> but Apple needs to follow UK law

And the UK law doesn't ask for device-level age verification.

To counter your downvoters:

> Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, praised Apple for the decision, especially since it’s not required to implement age verification for the iOS or its App Store under the region’s Online Safety Act.

-- https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-introduces-age-verif...