Governor Greg Abbott has signed the App Store Accountability Act, a new law that requires mobile app marketplaces to verify users’ ages and link minors’ accounts to parental oversight. While many parents support the move, some teens are pushing back.
On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott enacted the App Store Accountability Act, implementing significant reforms to the management of accounts for minors on mobile app marketplaces, including Apple's App Store and Google Play.
The legislation, previously known as Senate Bill 2420, has been introduced in response to increasing worries regarding the safety of children online. The new regulations establish age verification protocols for all new accounts, necessitate parental consent for users under the age of majority, and promote transparency regarding app ratings and data management practices.
"Providing a child with a phone means granting them entry into a vast digital landscape," stated Michelle Sacks, Executive Director of Street Grace Texas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating sex trafficking. “Tech companies must step up and assume accountability.”
Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicate a staggering increase in online enticement cases, which surged by more than 300% from 2021 to 2023. In 2023, the organization recorded a total of 186,800 cases.
The law encompasses several key provisions. Some include users who will be required to undergo mandatory age verification. Parental consent is required for the creation of accounts by minors. Furthermore, age ratings and detailed explanations for each application are now prominently displayed. The encryption of personal data has become a critical focus in today's digital landscape. Restrictions on data collection are implemented solely for verification purposes.
The decision has garnered praise from numerous parents, yet opinions among younger users remain split.
Thirteen-year-old Grayson Omideyi expressed his belief that parental control over app downloads is unnecessary for certain applications. “I feel that for some apps it’s not necessary for my parents to dictate what I download,” he stated. “Trust in our capabilities is essential.”
The new legislation mandates that technology companies take responsibility for safeguarding at-risk users, signaling Texas's commitment to spearheading efforts in online child safety.
