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3d ago

Texas Enacts App Store Age Verification Law Over Apple and Google Objections

Planned for January 1, 2026, the measure places app stores at the forefront of nationwide efforts to protect children through enforced age checks with parental consent

Image
The Apple logo is displayed on the glass facade of an Apple Store, partially obscured by green foliage in the foreground, on May 20, 2025 in Chongqing, China.
Close up of young college students hands holding mobile phones. Teenagers addicted to smartphones and technology. Group of friends sharing content on social media. Technology concept.
Tim Cook called Texas Governor Greg Abbott to emphasise the company’s opposition.

Overview

  • Governor Greg Abbott signed the App Store Accountability Act into law on May 27, mandating that Apple and Google verify the ages of all app store users.
  • The law requires parental consent for anyone under 18 before downloading apps or making in-app purchases, with compliance due by January 1, 2026.
  • Apple and Google have criticized the legislation for compelling them to collect and store sensitive age data for every user, citing privacy risks.
  • Child safety groups and Meta have endorsed the law as a necessary tool to give parents effective control over minors’ use of digital services.
  • Legal challenges on First Amendment grounds are expected, following Utah’s passage of a similar app store age-verification requirement earlier in 2025.