At least nine US states are considering legislation that would make app store owners like Apple and Google responsible for age verification before giving access to apps with minimum age requirements. Currently the legal responsibility lies with developers.
The issue is most applicable to social media apps, which typically have a minimum age of 13, and is an approach advocated by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg …
Social media apps have been accused of trying to get teenagers addicted to their apps, and also failing to take any meaningful steps to ensure that users meet their claimed age requirements.
The issue is becoming increasingly contentious as a number of legislatures have sought to impose legally-binding age requirements, or to require parental permission for social media use.
Currently, it is app developers who must ensure age requirements are met, but Meta began arguing in 2023 that app stores are in a better position to do this, with Zuckerberg doubling down on this last year.
Nine US states proposing App Store responsibility
Apple successfully lobbied against a bill in Lousiana which would have made age verification the responsibility of app stores, but a new WSJ report suggests that many other states are proposing the same thing.
At least nine states, including Utah and South Carolina, recently proposed bills that would require app-store operators to check the ages of users and get parental consent before letting minors download apps. More than 60 child-safety advocates are forming a new coalition to push for passage of app-store age-verification laws nationwide […]
In addition to Utah and South Carolina, South Dakota, Alaska, Kentucky, Alabama, New Mexico, West Virginia and Hawaii have all introduced legislation in the past two months taking aim at app stores.
There are strong arguments in favor
We noted back in 2023 that making app stores responsible does have a lot going for it.
By requiring apps to carry out age verification, that obligates them to collect date of birth when someone registers to use a social media app.
Some have argued that this is a privacy risk to children. Having only Apple and Google do it would pose a lower risk. And yeah, if you asked me who I trust more to protect sensitive personal information like that – Apple or Meta – then it’s no contest.
Additionally, it’s more practical for just a handful of companies – Apple, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft – to carry out the checks. App stores often already have credit card details on file to verify adults, and things like Family Sharing means that Apple also has signals pointing to some users being children.
iOS 18.4 also sees iPhones ask the age of users at the point of setup.
When you set up a new iPhone from scratch with iOS 18.4, you’ll be prompted to pick the “Age Range” of the person who will use the device. Apple says this information will “help iPhone set up parental controls and safety features.”
Although there is no verification of the selection made, it is another argument that Apple is already well-placed to conduct these checks.
So while Meta may be simply trying to duck its responsibilities, there are solid reasons for suggesting that app stores should provide the protections – privacy being the strongest of these.
Photo: Apple
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
