Utah Leads the Way in Mandating Age Verification for App Stores
Tech Companies Advocate for Age Verification Measures Amid Rising Concerns About Child Safety Online
Meta Platforms Inc., alongside other major social media companies including X (formerly Twitter) and Snap Inc., has expressed support for increased age verification measures for app downloads. This comes in the wake of growing criticism directed at tech companies for their perceived inadequacy in safeguarding children using their platforms. Notably, many social media applications currently cater to users age 13 and older, yet concerns are mounting regarding their accessibility to younger audiences.
In a collective statement released on Wednesday, the companies underscored the need for a centralized method to confirm the ages of young users. “Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their child’s age and grant permission for them to download apps in a privacy-preserving way,” the statement read, praising recent legislation enacted in Utah that empowers parents in digital safety efforts. They urged Congress to adopt similar measures nationwide.
However, app store operators, including Apple and Google, argue that independent app developers are better positioned to manage age verification and enforce safety protocols. Requiring app stores to validate ages could lead to the dissemination of sensitive personal information, such as driver’s licenses, passports, or Social Security numbers, even to users seeking to download non-age-restricted applications. Apple’s recent online safety report highlighted that many minors do not possess formal identification, placing a disproportionate burden on parents to supply sensitive documents merely to grant access to age-appropriate apps.
Under previous policy frameworks, both Apple and Google maintained a hands-off approach regarding age disclosures, allowing users to determine whether to reveal their age while enabling parents to set appropriate download restrictions. This stance diverges from legislative efforts in states like Utah that seek to enhance parental control over app usage.
The legislation proposed in Utah mandates that app stores obtain age information when new accounts are created. If a minor attempts to access restricted content, the app store must associate the account with a parent’s account and may require identification for verification. This initiative, advocated by Republican Senator Todd Weiler—who argues that regulating a few app stores is more pragmatic than inspecting thousands of app developers—reflects a growing trend among lawmakers to impose stricter regulations on digital environments.
The push for app store-level accountability is not isolated to Utah; at least eight other states are contemplating similar proposals, with Alabama recently advancing legislation to implement age verification measures. Melissa McKay, a Utah resident, has emerged as a vocal proponent of the bill following personal experiences that left her concerned about digital exposure among youth.
Despite these legislative efforts, the implementation of such laws faces significant hurdles, including legal challenges that have temporarily stalled the enforcement of similar regulations in other jurisdictions. The ongoing legal battles underscore the complex interplay between regulation, user privacy, and online safety, as tech companies navigate increasing pressures to ensure the safety of their youngest users.
As discussions continue, state laws mandating age verification may significantly reshape the landscape of online interactions, prompting a reevaluation of digital safety practices among app developers and social media platforms alike. If signed into law, Utah’s measure would take effect on May 7, pending further developments from the governor’s office.
