Google and Apple Clash with Texas Over Child Safety Rules

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a new online safety law (SB 2420) aimed at protecting minors by requiring mobile app stores operated by Apple and Google to verify users’ ages before allowing downloads or in-app purchases. The law, which passed despite strong opposition from the tech giants, is set to take effect in January.

Under the new measure, minors will need parental approval to access or purchase apps, a move Texas lawmakers say is intended to strengthen online protections for children. Apple and Google both pushed back against the bill, citing privacy concerns and operational burdens, as reported by BBC.

“We believe there are better proposals that help keep kids safe without requiring millions of people to turn over their personal information,” Apple said in a statement Tuesday.

At the federal level, lawmakers have proposed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would mandate that social media platforms adopt safeguards to prevent harm to young users. Though the U.S. Senate approved the bill last year, it stalled in the House of Representatives. KOSA was recently reintroduced with bipartisan support, and Apple has publicly endorsed the measure.

KOSA would create “duty of care,” meaning that tech companies and platform giants would be required to take steps to prevent potentially harmful encounters, such as posts about eating disorders and instances of online bullying, from impacting minors.

The new Texas law contributes to an ongoing debate over who should be responsible for age verification online. Social media companies like Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, have lobbied for app store operators to bear the responsibility.

Apple has since expressed continued concern, arguing the law forces app marketplaces to collect and retain sensitive identifying information for every Texas user, even for apps with no age-sensitive content, like weather or sports updates.

The company said it shares “the goal of strengthening kids’ online safety” but remains “deeply concerned” about the privacy risks.

Earlier this year, Apple introduced new child safety tools, such as requiring users to select an age range during device setup and mandating parental approval for users under 13 to access certain features, including the App Store.This is not the first time Texas has challenged Silicon Valley through legislation. In 2021, the state passed a controversial law barring social media platforms from banning users based on their political views, a response to Republican claims of censorship by platforms like Facebook and former Twitter.