Utah has just passed a new law requiring parental consent for app store downloads. This makes Utah the first state in the country to introduce such a rule. Senator Mike Lee has praised the new law. He is excited that Utah is leading the way in protecting children online. Lee is now working to pass a similar law in Congress. He believes it will help protect kids across America.
Senator Lee also pointed out that Apple had already started implementing some safeguards in their app store. Lee hopes that other companies will follow this example. He believes this law will push businesses in the right direction regarding app safety.
Details of the new law: The App Store accountability act
Utah passed the “App Store Accountability Act.” The law ensures that children cannot download apps without their parents’ consent.The law requires that app store providers, like Google and Apple, verify the user’s age. If the user is under 18, parents must approve the app download and agree to the terms and conditions.
The law, known as S.B. 142, is now on its way to Governor Spencer Cox’s desk. Once he signs it, the law will take effect. It is expected to significantly impact how app stores handle downloads, especially for minors.
Social media companies ack the law and ask for similar app laws across the country
After the Utah vote, big social media companies like Meta, Snap, and X released a joint statement. They said parents need a simple way to verify their children’s ages while protecting their privacy. These companies support the idea of having app stores as the main place for age verification.
The companies also pointed out that many other states are introducing similar laws. They praised Utah for being the first to pass this important app-related legislation. They hope that Congress will follow Utah’s example and pass similar rules across the country.
Senator Mike Lee’s continued push for federal legislation
Senator Mike Lee has been working hard to pass similar laws in Washington, D.C. He believes that tech companies need to take responsibility for what minors see and do online. Lee argues that companies like Apple and Google should take responsibility if children are exposed to harmful content.
During a Senate hearing on children’s online safety, Lee made it clear that these app companies should face consequences. He compared this responsibility to that of a business selling a product, where they must ensure the product is safe for the buyer. Lee believes that if a company ignores the age of the buyer, they should be held responsible.
Apple and Google have both opposed laws like the one passed in Utah. Both companies are part of the Chamber of Progress, a group that has lobbied against such bills. They have argued that this type of app law could hurt user privacy and safety.
In the past, Apple helped defeat a similar bill in Louisiana. The company said that requiring children to submit personal documents, like a government-issued ID, could be harmful. They argued that asking parents to provide extra information just to let their child use certain apps could risk privacy.
Concerns about apps and privacy and safety
Some critics are concerned that collecting more personal information for age verification could increase privacy risks. They worry that this information could be exposed or misused by app developers. Currently, both Apple and Google allow users to decide whether to share their age. Parents can also set age limits for apps to protect their children.
While these companies have implemented some safety features, many believe they must do more. Critics argue that app companies should be more proactive in protecting children from harmful content online.
