Texas Requires Apple and Google to Verify Ages for App Downloads

In a move that could reshape how app stores operate across the United States, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a new bill on Tuesday mandating that major digital platforms such as Apple’s App Store and Google Play verify the ages of their users. This legislation is intended to provide parents with greater oversight of the apps their children download and use on smartphones and tablets.

Texas is now the most populous state to implement this kind of digital child-safety law, following in the footsteps of other states like Utah, which became the first to adopt similar legislation in March. Additional states, including California and Illinois, are currently deliberating comparable regulatory frameworks aimed at better protecting young users in an increasingly connected world.

While federal lawmakers have struggled to build consensus around sweeping internet safety regulations, states are stepping into the vacuum. Congress recently reintroduced the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would require platforms like Instagram and TikTok to minimize harmful content, including posts promoting self-harm, disordered eating, and online harassment. That bill also aims to bolster parental tools and monitoring features.

At the heart of the state-level efforts lies a broader debate over who should bear the responsibility of shielding children from inappropriate digital content. Apple and Google, which operate the two dominant mobile app marketplaces, now find themselves at the center of that controversy.

Apple has long argued that it should not be the entity collecting age-related data from users, citing concerns over personal privacy. Instead, it has encouraged individual app developers to carry the burden of age verification. On the other hand, companies like Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram), Snap (developer of Snapchat), and X (formerly Twitter) believe the responsibility should rest with the app store platforms themselves. These companies contend that centralized verification systems would be more effective and easier for parents to manage.

The push for tighter regulation of children’s digital activity has been gaining ground in state legislatures, driven in part by increasing public concern over the psychological effects of technology on young people. One significant catalyst was the release of The Anxious Generation, a widely discussed book by NYU business school professor Jonathan Haidt. Haidt argues that the proliferation of smartphones has led to a spike in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among adolescents. He has publicly supported laws that seek to limit youth exposure to harmful online environments.

“We must find ways to build age-verification tools for the digital era,” said Haidt in a recent statement. “There are corners of the internet that are fundamentally unsafe for children, and it’s high time that the corporations profiting from youth engagement step up to safeguard them. Texas is leading the charge.”

Governor Abbott’s office echoed those sentiments. In a public announcement, Andrew Mahaleris, press secretary to the governor, stated that the new law reflects the state’s enduring commitment to the protection of minors. “Ensuring online safety and data privacy for young Texans continues to be a top priority,” he said. “This legislation puts the power back in the hands of parents to control what their children access online.”

The bill, which drew support from major social media firms, is being hailed as a milestone by some in the tech industry. Representatives from Meta, Snap, and X praised the law, calling it a critical step in advancing online safety for children. The companies also encouraged federal lawmakers in Washington to take similar action, urging Congress to pass national standards aligned with the Texas statute.

However, not all tech giants are on board. Apple, while supporting the general objective of keeping children safe online, has voiced strong reservations about the specifics of the Texas law. In particular, the company is concerned about how it might impact the privacy of users across the board—not just minors.

“Requiring app stores to collect sensitive personal data from all users, regardless of the nature of the app they’re downloading, is deeply troubling,” said Apple spokesperson Peter Ajemian. “This law creates risks for every Texan who simply wants to download something as harmless as a weather app or sports tracker.”

Similarly, Google has expressed hesitance about the implications of the bill. Though the company has not yet indicated whether it will challenge the law, a Google representative said the firm is “carefully evaluating the situation and our possible responses.” Prior to the bill’s passage, a member of Google’s policy team described it as “among the most extreme approaches to age verification that we have seen so far.”

Despite the disagreement, the broader conversation is unlikely to go away. Advocates of age-verification argue that the current “anything goes” model of app store access does not provide sufficient protection for younger users. They believe that requiring tech companies to take on more responsibility is both necessary and long overdue.

Opponents, however, raise significant concerns about how such verification systems might work in practice—particularly when it comes to data security and privacy. They worry that centralizing sensitive identity information could lead to data breaches or misuse.

As these debates unfold, lawmakers across the country are watching closely. California, with its influential tech sector, could be a key battleground in the next phase of legislative efforts. Illinois, meanwhile, is considering proposals that not only mandate age checks but also impose limits on how companies can use children’s data.

Jonathan Haidt and other public intellectuals continue to call for national standards to avoid a confusing patchwork of state laws. “A piecemeal approach may create unintended consequences,” Haidt warned. “We need a unified strategy that reflects the digital realities of today’s youth.”

The enactment of the Texas law may prompt Congress to accelerate discussions around KOSA and related legislation. Several senators have indicated that growing support at the state level could provide the momentum needed to pass federal regulations that have so far stalled.

Whether or not Washington takes decisive action, Texas has already set a precedent. Its legislation represents a dramatic escalation in the long-running tug-of-war between tech platforms, policymakers, and concerned parents over how best to protect children navigating a complex digital ecosystem.

As the law is implemented, it will also serve as a test case for the feasibility—and fallout—of large-scale age verification. For parents seeking more control, it is a potential victory. For tech companies juggling privacy, compliance, and innovation, it could mark the beginning of a challenging new era.en.”