Utah has become the first state in the U.S. to pass a law requiring app store operators to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent before minors can download apps. This shift places the responsibility on mobile app stores rather than individual websites, aligning with efforts by Meta and other social media companies to influence legislation on child safety.
Apple initially opposed a similar Louisiana bill but later agreed to require parents to disclose children’s ages within apps. Meta spokesperson Jamie Rice called Utah’s law a “positive first step” but noted that teens still have control over whether developers apply these restrictions.
Support and Privacy Concerns
Following the bill’s passage, Meta, Snap, and X issued a joint statement urging Congress to adopt similar regulations. They argued that app stores provide a centralized, privacy-conscious solution for parents to manage children’s app access, citing that over a quarter of U.S. states have introduced similar bills.
However, critics warn the law could infringe on privacy and free speech. Kerry Maeve Sheehan, a legal adviser to the Chamber of Progress, pointed out that the Supreme Court has historically ruled against age verification laws like Utah’s, as they can limit public access to information and conflict with the First Amendment. SCOTUS is set to review age verification requirements this year, though in a case related specifically to adult content.
Privacy experts also argue that strict age verification is difficult to implement without compromising user rights and security, notes NIX Solutions. The challenge lies in confirming a user’s age without requiring additional personal data, making compliance with both privacy and safety standards nearly impossible.
We’ll keep you updated as more states introduce similar legislation and as legal challenges unfold.