Texas Enacts Law Requiring App Stores to Verify Users’ Ages

In a move aimed at strengthening online protections for minors, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has officially signed a new law mandating that app stores such as Apple’s App Store and Google Play verify the age of all users. This new legislation, known as the Texas App Store Accountability Act, will go into effect on January 1, 2026.

The law mirrors similar efforts in other states, including Utah, but adds even more stringent requirements. App store providers will not only need to verify user ages and obtain parental consent for minors, but also ensure that the consenting adult has legal authority over the child. The bill passed with broad support from both chambers of the Texas legislature.

Aimed at Protecting Children Online

Governor Abbott’s office emphasized that the law is designed to give parents more control over what content their children can access through mobile apps.

“Keeping Texas children safe online is a priority,” said Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris. “This law empowers parents and strengthens online safety.”

The legislation reflects growing concerns about children’s exposure to harmful online content, ranging from predatory behavior to inappropriate material and addictive features on social media platforms. Lawmakers believe that centralizing age checks through app stores will create a more effective way to filter access for young users.

Under the new Texas law, app stores must categorize users by age groups — child, young teen, older teen, or adult — and pass that information on to app developers. This is intended to allow developers to tailor their apps to different age categories and deliver safer user experiences.

Privacy Concerns and Pushback

While many support the effort to protect minors, critics — including privacy advocates and tech companies — argue that the law may have unintended consequences.

Companies like Apple and Google warn that universal age verification could compromise privacy. To confirm someone’s age, platforms might require sensitive documents like driver’s licenses or facial scans — even for adults downloading benign apps like weather tools or calculators.

Apple, in particular, has expressed reservations about the legislation. A spokesperson stated, “We support keeping children safe online, but this law risks forcing millions of users to give up sensitive information.” Apple has instead proposed a system called “age assurance,” which allows parents to share a child’s age range with app developers without requiring ID uploads or other personal data.

Google, meanwhile, has not issued a formal response following the bill’s signing but has previously voiced concern about the feasibility of implementing such sweeping verification systems.

Legal experts have also flagged potential constitutional issues. Some argue that requiring adults to verify their age before accessing apps might violate the First Amendment, especially if users must choose between their privacy and accessing legally protected speech. Similarly, minors may find their access to lawful content unjustly limited.

Debate Continues Among Tech Giants and Lawmakers

Despite the pushback, some social media companies — including Meta (formerly Facebook), Snap, and X (formerly Twitter) — have voiced support for shifting the responsibility for age verification to app stores. They argue this would spare users from having to verify their age on every individual platform and reduce the risk of personal data being spread across numerous services.

Advocates also say the law is a step forward in curbing the risks young users face online, including exposure to harmful content and interactions. With the increasing presence of artificial intelligence-driven tools and chatbots, concerns over how teens interact with technology continue to grow.

While the Texas law introduces new compliance challenges for tech companies, it is part of a broader national conversation on digital safety for children — one that is unlikely to fade anytime soon.