"Although Apple already rolled out its own age assurance technology and tools earlier this year in anticipation of a regulatory crackdown, the tech giant called out the Texas law over privacy concerns. In a developer announcement, Apple explains, "...we are concerned that SB2420 impacts the privacy of users by requiring the collection of sensitive, personally identifiable information to download any app, even if a user simply wants to check the weather or sports scores.""
"When the law goes into effect on January 1, 2026, Apple will be required to confirm whether Texas users are 18 years or older, and those under 18 will be required to join a Family Sharing group, managed by parents or guardians. Parents and guardians will have to provide consent for all the minor's App Store downloads, purchases, and transactions, using Apple's existing in-app purchase system."
"As a result, states are coming up with their own laws with similar intentions, but different methods of implementation. A tech giant like Apple has the resources to comply with such laws, but smaller developers would not, without Apple's provided tools. Other smaller startups are impacted by these laws, as well. For instance, social networking startup Bluesky had to block its service in Mississippi as the company said it didn't have the resources to comply with the law."
SB2420 requires app stores to confirm whether Texas users are 18 or older and to place minors into parental-managed Family Sharing accounts, with parents providing consent for downloads, purchases, and transactions through existing in-app purchase systems starting January 1, 2026. Apple already deployed age-assurance tools and will update its Declared Age Range API to help developers determine age in a privacy-preserving way. Apple raised privacy concerns that SB2420 could require collection of sensitive personally identifiable information for any app download. Smaller developers and startups may lack resources to comply; some services, such as Bluesky in Mississippi, have been blocked due to compliance burdens.
Read at TechCrunch
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]