Utah has taken a groundbreaking step in online safety by becoming the first state to pass legislation requiring app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors to download apps. The bill, which now awaits Governor Spencer Cox’s signature, has sparked a debate between major tech companies over who should bear the responsibility for age verification.
The Battle Between Tech Giants: Meta, Apple, and Google Clash Over Age Verification
The legislation has placed Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, at odds with app store leaders Apple and Google. Similar bills have been introduced in at least eight other states as part of the ongoing effort to enhance children’s online safety. While some states have sought to regulate social media platforms directly, Utah’s approach focuses on app stores as the gatekeepers of digital access.
Meta and other social media companies support shifting the responsibility to app stores, arguing that they already face criticism for not doing enough to protect children online. In a joint statement, Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and Snap Inc. praised Utah’s decision, saying:
“Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their child’s age and grant permission for them to download apps in a privacy-preserving way. The app store is the best place for it.”
On the other hand, Apple and Google argue that app developers are in a better position to handle age verification. Apple warns that requiring app stores to confirm ages would force all users—not just minors—to submit sensitive personal information, such as a driver’s license, passport, credit card, or Social Security number, even if they are not downloading an age-restricted app.
“Because many kids in the U.S. don’t have government-issued IDs, parents will have to provide even more sensitive documentation just to allow their child to access apps meant for children. That’s not in the interest of user safety or privacy,” Apple stated in its latest online safety report.
Both Apple and Google currently allow parents to set age-appropriate restrictions on app downloads, but they stop short of enforcing universal age verification.
Privacy vs. Safety Concerns – A Heated Debate in the Tech Industry
The Chamber of Progress, a tech policy group supported by Apple and Google, lobbied against the Utah bill, calling it a “tremendous encroachment on individual privacy.” Kouri Marshall, a spokesperson for the group, argued that the law places an undue burden on app stores to regulate online safety.
However, Republican Senator Todd Weiler, the bill’s sponsor, countered that focusing on app stores is more efficient than trying to regulate thousands of individual app developers.
“It’s a lot easier to target two app stores than it is to target 10,000 app developers,” Weiler stated.
Under the bill, app stores would be required to ask for a user’s age when they create an account. If the user is a minor, the store must link the account to their parent’s profile and may request an ID for verification. In most cases, a credit card could be used to verify a parent’s identity.
Furthermore, if a child attempts to download an app that includes in-app purchases or requires them to agree to terms and conditions, parental approval will be mandatory.
Parents and Child Safety Advocates Support the Law Amid Digital Risks
Utah mother Melissa McKay is among those who advocated for the legislation. Her concerns about online safety intensified after her nephew encountered harmful content on another student’s device at school in 2017. She believes that the problem lies in inaccurate age ratings and ineffective parental controls.
“Inaccurate age ratings on apps and faulty parental controls are at the root of online harm,” McKay said.
Other States Considering Similar Child Protection Laws for Digital Safety
At least eight other states are considering similar proposals that would require app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent before minors can download apps. Alabama’s version of the bill recently advanced through a legislative committee.
In states like Arkansas, Texas, and Ohio, lawmakers are debating similar measures to protect children online. These proposals aim to reduce exposure to inappropriate content, curb online predators, and ensure that minors only access age-appropriate apps. However, tech industry opposition and privacy concerns could pose challenges to the widespread adoption of such regulations.
If more states pass similar laws, the U.S. could see a shift toward federal legislation addressing digital safety for minors. Until then, each state will continue to grapple with balancing privacy, security, and parental control in the digital landscape.
Legal Challenges and Implementation – Will This Law Hold Up in Court?
Utah has already faced legal obstacles in regulating social media. In 2024, a federal judge temporarily blocked a state law requiring social media platforms to verify users’ ages and impose restrictions on minors’ accounts. Lawsuits have delayed the implementation of similar measures in other states.
If Governor Cox signs the app store bill into law, most of its provisions would take effect on May 7. His office has not yet responded to requests for comment, though Cox has previously expressed support for age verification laws in online spaces.
This legislative move marks a significant shift in how digital safety for minors is approached, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow. The debate between privacy advocates, tech companies, and policymakers is far from over, but Utah’s bold stance signals that the conversation around children’s online safety is only just beginning.
