In a decisive move to bolster online child safety, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has enacted legislation mandating that tech giants Google and Apple verify the age of users accessing their app stores.
This newly signed law stipulates that minors must obtain parental consent before downloading applications or making in-app purchases, a measure that has met with resistance from both Apple and Google.
As reported by One America News, Apple expressed its disapproval, stating, "We believe there are better proposals that help keep kids safe without requiring millions of people to turn over their personal information."
This sentiment underscores the ongoing tension between tech companies and legislative efforts aimed at enhancing online safety for younger users. Texas joins Utah as the second state to implement such a law, reflecting a growing trend among states to prioritize the protection of minors in the digital realm.
In parallel, legislative efforts continue to advance the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which seeks to impose specific obligations on social media platforms to safeguard young users. Although KOSA successfully passed the Senate last year, it encountered obstacles in the House of Representatives, stalling its progress.
The requirement for age verification has placed companies like Apple and Google at odds with social media entities, with Meta recently advocating for these tech giants to assume responsibility for verifying user ages on their platforms.
The Wall Street Journal revealed that earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook personally reached out to Governor Abbott, urging him to reconsider the bill's passage. Despite Apple's alignment with the goal of enhancing children's online safety, the company voiced "deep concern" over the potential privacy implications of the law.
An Apple spokesperson elaborated, "[I]t requires app marketplaces to collect and keep sensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app, even if its an app that simply provides weather updates or sports scores."
In response to these developments, Apple has introduced several new child safety measures, including a requirement for users to select an age range when setting up a new device. The Texas law is slated to take effect at the start of the coming year, marking a significant step in the ongoing effort to protect minors in the digital age.
As the debate over online safety and privacy continues, the balance between safeguarding children and preserving individual privacy remains a contentious issue.
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