TEXAS LAW MANDATES AGE CHECKS FOR APPLE AND GOOGLE APP STORES, STIRRING PRIVACY DEBATE

In a quiet Austin coffee shop, a teenager taps her iPhone to download a game, unaware that soon she'll need her parents’ approval to proceed.

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the App Store Accountability Act into law earlier this week, requiring Apple and Google to verify the age of all app store users in the state starting January 1, 2026.

Known as Senate Bill 2420, the law demands that users under 18 obtain parental consent to download apps or make in-app purchases, aiming to shield minors from harmful content.

Apple and Google, which dominate U.S. app stores, opposed the bill, citing risks to user privacy, while child safety groups argue it empowers parents. With enforcement looming, the law could reshape how millions access apps, setting a precedent for other states.

TEXAS LEADS WITH A GROUNDBREAKING LAW

Governor Abbott's signature on Senate Bill 2420 marks Texas as a pioneer in app store regulation, following Utah's similar law earlier in 2025. The legislation, passed with supermajority approval in both houses of the Texas legislature, requires Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store to confirm user ages, mandating parental consent for those under 18 to download apps or make in-app purchases. Effective January 1, 2026, the law positions Texas at the forefront of a national push to regulate smartphone use by minors, with child safety groups like the Digital Childhood Alliance praising it as a necessary step.