App Store Accountability Act
The App Store Accountability Act is a United States legislative proposal aimed at enhancing safeguards within app stores to protect children and empower parents. Representative John James reintroduced the bill in the House of Representatives on May 1, 2025, after its initial introduction in December 2024. The bill seeks to mandate app store operators to verify user's age and obtain parental consent for minors to use the store, download apps, or make purchases.[1][2][3][4]
Senator Mike Lee introduced a companion bill in the Senate on the same day, emphasizing the need for age verification and accountability in app stores. The legislation aims to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content and restricts the sale or sharing of sensitive data by app stores.
The bill also preempts similar state-level laws and designates the Federal Trade Commission as the primary enforcer of its provisions Additionally, it establishes an advisory committee and sets out enforcement mechanisms and remedies.
Support for the bill is widespread, with 88% of parents expressing desire for app stores to require parental approval for minors to download apps The Digital Childhood Alliance and 101 advocacy organizations for children's online safety have expressed support for the bill.
As of June 7, 2025, the bill remains under consideration in both chambers of Congress.
Similar State laws
[edit]So far as of June 7, 2025, two states have passed laws that require age verification and parental consent to download apps from the Appstore them being Utah and Texas.[1][5] There is also another law in Louisiana that is likely to pass that is pending.[6] The Texas law takes effect January 1, 2026, and the Utah's takes effect December 31, 2026, Utah is also the only one of these laws that is enforced only though a private right of action by citizens.
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References
[edit]https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0142.html
- ^ a b Driggars, Brandi D. Addison and Alex. "Texas passes bill to require Apple, Google app store users to verify age for new downloads". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ Duffy, Clare (2025-05-28). "Texas governor signs new law requiring Apple and Google to verify all app store users' ages | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ Rep. James, John [R-MI-10 (2024-12-11). "H.R.10364 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): App Store Accountability Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Texas Governor Signs Off on App Store Law Against Tim Cook's Wishes". MacRumors. 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ S.B. 142 App Store Accountability Act
- ^ HB 570 Provides relative to minor's use of applications (Louisiana)