Apple, Google face compliance crossroads as states push digital safeguards
By 
Oscar Gonzalez2025-05-30T18:06:00
A new law in Texas will go into effect next January that requires Apple and Google to verify the age of their app store users. This marks another piece of legislation from the state level intended to protect children, and the second such law specifically from Texas to limit children’s access to online content. But it will likely face legal challenges over the First Amendment, too.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Texas App Store Accountability Act on Tuesday, requiring Google and Apple to categorize users under 18 into age groups, create parent accounts for the minors, and obtain parental consent for a minor to download programs, make purchases, or pay for items in the apps as well.
This law also affects app developers who will have to ”assign age ratings to their apps, provide notice of significant changes to their applications, and use age and consent information only for age-related restrictions, legal compliance, and safety features.” Developers will also have to limit personal data collection and protect user data via encryption.
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