In a bold move to bolster online safety for minors, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a new law requiring tech giants Apple and Google to implement age-verification measures on their app stores. The legislation mandates that minors obtain parental approval before downloading apps or making in-app purchases—drawing sharp opposition from the tech industry over privacy and operational concerns.
New Law Targets App Store Gatekeepers
The Texas law compels app marketplaces, namely Apple’s App Store and Google Play, to verify the age of every user accessing their platforms in the state. If a user is under 18, parental consent will be mandatory for app downloads and in-app purchases.
This approach places the onus of age verification on app store operators rather than individual app developers—a move long advocated by social media companies like Meta. The law’s intent, according to state legislators, is to create a more uniform and accountable system that shields children from harmful online content and exploitation.
Tech Industry Pushes Back Over Privacy Concerns
Apple and Google both opposed the legislation, warning that it could compromise user privacy and introduce sweeping data collection requirements. In a statement released Tuesday, Apple cautioned that the law “requires app marketplaces to collect and keep sensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app.”
Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly made a personal appeal to Governor Abbott earlier this month in an effort to halt the bill’s progress. While acknowledging the importance of child safety, Apple expressed deep concern about the implications of storing and managing vast amounts of user data, including information from adults simply seeking to download harmless apps like weather updates or sports scores.
Rising State-Level Momentum Amid Federal Inaction
Texas is not alone in its push to regulate child safety online. Earlier this year, Utah enacted a similar measure, and other conservative-led states are considering comparable legislation. These efforts reflect growing frustration at the federal level, where comprehensive reforms have stalled.
The bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would mandate safety-by-design principles for social media platforms, passed the Senate last year but has yet to clear the House of Representatives. Apple has voiced support for KOSA, arguing it strikes a better balance between safety and privacy.
Parents to Gain More Control Over Children’s App Use
Once the law takes effect on January 1, 2026, parents in Texas will be given more authority over their children’s digital interactions. Devices used by minors will need verified parental approval before accessing apps, and platforms must ensure these controls are in place to comply with the new regulations.
Apple has already taken steps in this direction, requiring parents to give consent for children under 13 to use certain features, including the App Store and Face ID. The new Texas law will reinforce such measures, but on a broader scale that could alter how app stores function across the nation if other states follow suit.
A Broader Conservative Tech Push
The move reflects a continuing trend in Texas to confront Silicon Valley through state legislation. In 2021, Texas passed a law banning social media platforms from censoring users based on political views—a direct response to conservative complaints about alleged bias on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
With the latest law, Texas is positioning itself as a national leader in state-driven tech regulation. While applauded by parental rights advocates, the law raises significant constitutional and operational questions that are likely to be litigated in court. Apple and Google may challenge the statute on grounds of federal preemption and privacy rights.
National Implications Loom as Tech Giants Reassess Compliance with New Texas Law
If upheld, the Texas law could set a precedent that encourages similar measures across other states, effectively fragmenting how app stores operate in the U.S. The logistical and legal burdens of age verification could alter user experience and business practices on a national scale.
For now, tech companies are weighing their options. Google has not yet issued a formal statement on the law, but industry watchers anticipate coordinated legal resistance. With January 1 approaching, all eyes will be on how Apple, Google, and app developers navigate the coming regulatory landscape in Texas—and whether Congress will finally step in with a federal solution.
