Governor Greg Abbott has signed the App Store Accountability Act, a new law aimed at protecting minors online by requiring age verification and parental oversight for users of mobile app stores. The law has received mixed reactions from parents and teens.
This week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott enacted the App Store Accountability Act, which establishes new regulations for mobile app marketplaces aimed at enhancing the protection of minors against online dangers and data misuse.
Senate Bill 2420 mandates that app stores, including Apple’s App Store and Google Play, implement age verification for users during the account creation process. Additionally, the legislation requires that accounts for minors be connected to a parent or guardian to ensure proper oversight.
Legislation has been introduced in response to growing apprehension regarding the safety of children on the internet. Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicate a dramatic increase in online enticement cases, soaring by over 300% between 2021 and 2023. In 2023, the CyberTipline received more than 186,800 reports of such incidents.
“When you hand kids technology, you’re handing them the entire world,” stated Michelle Sacks, Executive Director of Street Grace Texas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating child sex trafficking. Authorities acknowledge the ongoing issues lurking in the less visible areas of the internet. This legislation establishes accountability for major corporations such as Apple and Google.
The new law features several essential provisions, including: new regulations require mandatory age verification for the creation of new user accounts, and all minor users will be required to obtain parental consent.
Included in the provisions are age ratings for all applications, which are now clearly visible. Additionally, there are comprehensive insights into the methodology behind the rating assignment, and user data encryption has been significantly improved.
New regulations impose stringent restrictions on the collection of personal data for age verification.
The legislation has garnered significant backing from parent advocacy organizations. However, some young users express concerns that it may exceed appropriate boundaries.
Thirteen-year-old Grayson Omideyi expressed his belief that parental guidance is not always essential when it comes to downloading specific applications. “I feel that for some apps, my parents don’t need to dictate what I download,” he stated. “Trust in our capabilities is essential.”
In a move that has elicited a range of responses, the new law represents a significant shift in the responsibilities of digital platforms regarding the protection of young users. Texas is now establishing a more rigorous benchmark for online child safety.
