US lawmakers push for app store age checks
New US bill would make app stores verify all users’ ages to protect children online.
A new bill introduced by US lawmakers could force app stores like Apple’s App Store and Google Play to verify the age of all users, in a move aimed at increasing online safety for minors.
Known as the App Store Accountability Act, the legislation would require age categorisation and parental consent before minors can download apps or make in-app purchases. If passed, the law would apply to platforms with at least five million users and would come into effect one year after approval.
The bill proposes dividing users into age brackets — from ‘young child’ to ‘adult’ — and holding app stores accountable for enforcing access restrictions.
Lawmakers behind the bill, Republican Senator Mike Lee and Representative John James, argue that Big Tech companies must take responsibility for limiting children’s exposure to harmful content. They believe app stores are the right gatekeepers for verifying age and protecting minors online.
Privacy advocates and tech companies have voiced concern about the bill’s implications. Legal experts warn that verifying users’ ages may require sensitive personal data, such as ID documents or facial recognition scans, raising the risk of data misuse.
Apple said such verification would apply to all users, not just children, and criticised the idea as counterproductive to privacy.
The proposal has widened a rift between app store operators and social media platforms. While Meta, X, and Snap back centralised age checks at the app store level, Apple and Google accuse them of shifting the burden of responsibility.
Both tech giants emphasise the importance of shared responsibility and continue to engage with lawmakers on crafting practical and privacy-conscious solutions.
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