Utah has made waves in the tech world with the introduction of its App Store Accountability Act, a law that will require tech giants Apple and Google to verify users’ ages on their app stores and secure parental consent for minors. This marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate about who should be responsible for age verification on digital platforms. The law, signed by Governor Spencer Cox, makes Utah the first state to pass such legislation, setting a precedent for other states to follow.
Tech Giants at Odds Over Age Verification Responsibility
For years, a battle has raged between tech companies and app stores over who should take responsibility for ensuring age verification. Companies like Meta, X, and Snap have long advocated for app stores to shoulder this responsibility, arguing that they are the platforms hosting and distributing the apps. On the other hand, Apple and Google have argued that app developers should be responsible since they create and control the content users interact with. Utah’s new law finally resolves this debate by placing the responsibility firmly on the app stores.
Apple Introduces New Child Safety Measures
Ahead of the law’s passage, Apple took proactive steps by launching a new set of child safety features within its App Store. One key initiative is the Declared Age Range API, which allows developers to collect age range information provided by parents. This system doesn’t reveal the minor’s exact age but instead ensures that app experiences are tailored to be appropriate for different age groups. Apple’s approach requires app developers to request age information before the app is used, rather than relying on the app store to verify it at the time of download.
Social Media Giants Applaud Utah’s Leadership
Meta, X, and Snap have all expressed strong support for Utah’s move. In a joint statement, they praised the law for offering greater control for parents and empowering them to manage their children’s app downloads in one centralized place. These companies view the law as a crucial step in simplifying age verification and ensuring that parents aren’t required to submit personal information to multiple apps individually.
Utah’s move has sparked the interest of other states, with 16 states including California and Texas introducing similar legislation focusing on age verification and online safety.
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