Texas governor signs new law requiring Apple and Google to verify all app store users’ ages

In a significant move towards enhancing online safety, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has enacted a law mandating that both Apple and Google must confirm the ages of all users accessing their app stores. This legislation, known as the Texas App Store Accountability Act, mirrors a similar law passed in Utah earlier this year but introduces stricter data collection requirements. Set to take effect at the beginning of next year, the law gives app stores several months to devise strategies for age verification. The Texas House and Senate passed the bill with overwhelming support. This initiative is part of a wider regulatory effort aimed at protecting children online, with advocates arguing that app stores should take the lead in verifying user ages. A number of other states are considering similar measures. However, app store operators and privacy experts have voiced concerns that these age verification protocols could threaten user privacy and be challenging to enforce. An Apple representative expressed that there are more effective methods to safeguard children without necessitating the collection of sensitive personal data from millions of users. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly reached out to Governor Abbott earlier this month, urging him to reconsider the legislation. Abbott's press secretary emphasized that the law aims to give parents greater control over the online experiences of their children. Similar to Utah’s regulations, the Texas law requires app stores to verify user ages and obtain parental consent for minors before they can download apps or make purchases. Additionally, app stores must categorize users' ages—ranging from child to adult—to help developers create safer environments for younger audiences. The Texas law further stipulates that app stores must verify that the consenting parent or guardian holds the legal authority to make decisions for the child. Critics argue that such regulations could infringe on individual privacy, as they require all users—not just minors—to provide sensitive information, such as identification or biometric data, regardless of the nature of the app. The custody stipulation would compel parents to share even more personal documentation. Legal experts warn that these laws may conflict with First Amendment rights by compelling adults to disclose personal information to access legally protected online content. Minors would also face restrictions requiring parental consent for accessing protected online speech. In response to the legislation, Apple and Google have proposed alternatives that would share the responsibility of age verification between app stores and developers, limiting the sharing of age data to necessary platforms. Apple is set to introduce an 'age assurance' feature allowing parents to communicate their child's age range without collecting sensitive data from all users. Google has not yet commented on the new law, but some social media giants, including Meta, Snap, and X, support making app stores responsible for age verification to reduce the necessity for users to share personal information across various platforms. The implementation of these laws comes in light of increasing scrutiny over online platforms for exposing young audiences to potential dangers, including harassment and harmful content. The emergence of artificial intelligence chatbots has intensified concerns around technology use among teenagers, prompting calls for formal age verification to prevent young users from evading safety measures.