Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a landmark online child safety bill that mandates tech giants Apple and Google to implement age verification measures in their app stores specifically for users in Texas. With this new legislation, Texas is poised to become the national leader in regulating online safety. It is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2024.
As the second most populous state in the U.S., Texas’s new law sends ripples in advance of their implementation. This legislation illustrates the growing worry about children’s protections in the online space. This legislation would make app marketplaces responsible for age verification. In doing so, it creates a safe place for children where they are protected from adult content and interactions. This action follows legislation passed earlier this year by Utah, an equally bold move. It reflects a recent wave of conservative state legislation aimed at improving minors’ online safety.
Governor Abbott’s initiative comes on the heels of Apple’s announcement in February of new child safety measures. New users of the device must select their age bracket. If they’re under 13, they must get express parental consent to be able to access the App Store and use PARC and other features, including Face ID.
Meanwhile, U.S. federal lawmakers are working on a significantly adapted Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). This legislation would hold social media companies accountable by requiring them to use design choices that help protect young users from online dangers. This tremendous legislative push is a testament to the bipartisan acknowledgment that we need stronger protections for our children online.
Texas has some experience with legislative attempts to regulate social media platforms. In 2021, the state made headlines by prohibiting social media companies from banning users based solely on their political viewpoints. This push was primarily spearheaded by Republican lawmakers who falsely claimed that platforms such as Facebook and Twitter were censoring conservative perspectives.
It’s true that tech companies—especially those based in Silicon Valley—are starting to feel the heat and pressure from states like Texas to change their modus operandi. In response to the lawsuit, an Apple spokesperson recognized the need for online safety but questioned the potential impacts of the new law.
“The goal of strengthening kids’ online safety,” – Apple spokesperson
The spokesperson derided the bill’s onerous requirements. Or, they noted, it will require app marketplaces to collect sensitive personal information from each and every Texan who wants to download an app – for banking, shopping, healthcare, or any reason.
“It requires app marketplaces 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,” – Apple spokesperson
The press secretary further underscored the call for an alternative. These solutions would expand child safety whilst protecting the privacy of millions of Americans.
“We believe there are better proposals that help keep kids safe without requiring millions of people to turn over their personal information,” – Apple spokesperson