Meta, X, and Snap have expressed support for a new law in Utah that mandates Apple and Google to assume responsibility for verifying users’ ages on their app stores and to obtain parental consent for minors.
There has been an ongoing debate among these tech companies regarding which entity should be responsible for age verification within app stores. Meta and similar companies contend that the app stores should verify users’ ages since they host and distribute the apps. In contrast, app store operators argue that the companies offering the apps should bear this responsibility as they directly provide the products to end users.
Utah has become the first state to implement such legislation with the App Store Accountability Act. This law, which was passed by Utah’s legislature earlier this month, is awaiting the signature of Governor Spencer Cox to be officially enacted. However, Utah is not the only state considering similar legislation.
Before the law’s approval, Apple introduced a new set of child safety initiatives for its App Store, which include a system for verifying ages in apps. This system allows app developers to use a Declared Age Range API to access parental-provided age range information. Although this information does not reveal the minor’s exact age or birthdate, it enables developers to tailor app experiences according to the specified age range.
Apple’s system requires that app developers request an age range before their apps are used, rather than having the App Store verify ages at the point of download.
Social media companies have enthusiastically welcomed Utah’s new law, which mandates age verification by app stores before apps can be downloaded onto devices.
In a joint statement, Meta, X, and Snap commended Utah’s initiative, saying: “We applaud Governor Cox and the State of Utah for being the first in the nation to empower parents and users with greater control over teen app downloads, and urge other states to consider this groundbreaking approach. Parents want a one-stop-shop to oversee and approve the many apps their teens want to download, and Utah has led the way in centralizing it within a device’s app store. This approach spares users from repeatedly submitting personal information to countless individual apps and online services. We are committed to safeguarding parents and teens, and look forward to seeing more states adopt this model.”
Sixteen U.S. states, including California and Texas, have introduced their own versions of app store legislation focusing on age verification and youth safety.
