Texas is poised to become the first major US state to force Apple and Google to verify users’ ages on their app stores, in a landmark move that could reshape how tech giants deal with young users.
Senate Bill 2420, now awaiting Governor Greg Abbott’s signature after winning overwhelming support in both legislative chambers, would require app stores to confirm a device user’s age and obtain parental consent before allowing anyone under 18 to download apps or make in-app purchases.
The proposed law positions Texas at the heart of an intensifying global debate on how to safeguard children and teenagers in the digital age.
“This bill is a step in the right direction,” said Casey Stefanski, Executive Director of the Digital Childhood Alliance, one of several advocacy groups backing the move. “The problem is that self-regulation in the digital marketplace has failed, where app stores have just prioritised profit over the safety and rights of children and families.”
Texas follows Utah, which passed a similar law earlier this year. A federal version is also being discussed in Congress, while another bill under consideration in Texas would restrict social media use to those aged 18 and above.
Public support for such measures is strong. A 2023 Pew Research poll found that 81% of Americans favour requiring parental consent for children to open social media accounts, and 71% support age verification for users.
Concerns about the mental health impact of social media on young people have gained momentum, with multiple US states suing Meta Platforms and the US Surgeon General issuing a warning calling for tougher protections. Abroad, Australia has banned social media for under-16s, and countries like Norway are weighing similar actions.
Yet, the question of how to implement age controls is dividing the tech world. While Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, has advocated for app stores to handle verification, Apple and Google have criticised the Texas bill’s sweeping requirements.
Speaking during a US Senate hearing last year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “Parents shouldn’t have to upload an ID or proof they are a parent in every single app their children use. The easier place to do this is in the app stores themselves.”
Meta declined to comment on the Texas legislation.
Apple, however, warned the law would lead to excessive data collection. “If enacted, app marketplaces will be required to collect and keep sensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app—even if it’s an app that simply provides weather updates or sports scores,” the company said in a statement.
Google shared Apple’s concerns, but signalled openness to well-crafted legislation.
“We see a role for legislation here,” said Kareem Ghanem, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google. “It’s just got to be done in the right way, and it’s got to hold the feet of Zuckerberg and the social media companies to the fire, because it’s the harms to kids and teens on those sites that’s really inspired people to take a closer look here and see how we can all do better.”
Both companies have proposed alternatives that would involve sharing users’ age range only with apps that require it, rather than all apps.
Boluwatife Enome
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