Apple is actively trying to influence a bill in Texas aimed at protecting children online. Recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook had a conversation with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, requesting changes to the proposed “App Store accountability” legislation.
This bill would mandate Apple to verify the age of every iPhone user, a requirement Cook is concerned about. Reports indicate that Cook urged Abbott to amend or veto the bill, which has already passed the state legislature with enough support that Abbott’s veto could be overturned.
While Apple insists it prioritizes child safety online, the company argues that the Texas legislation endangers user privacy. They contend that the bill would compel app marketplaces to collect sensitive personal information from every user in order to download any app, regardless of its purpose.
This sentiment was echoed in a statement from a spokesman for Governor Abbott, who affirmed that the safety and online privacy of Texas children remains a priority and that Abbott will review the legislation thoroughly. The proposed bill would require both Apple and Google to verify the age of device owners.
If a device owner is identified as a minor, their app store account would be linked to that of a parent. Parents would then receive notifications to approve or deny any app downloads their child attempts.
So far, nine states have considered similar legislation, with only Utah having enacted it. If passed in Texas, it would represent a significant precedent, potentially boosting similar federal efforts aimed at age verification measures.
Tech giants like Apple and Google oppose the bill, stating that its implementation could incur significant costs to enforce age restrictions. Both companies, along with social media platforms like Meta and Snap, argue that such age-gating responsibilities should fall on app stores, not individual apps, to ensure a streamlined approach to safeguarding online activities for minors.