Texas Governor Signs App Store Child Safety Law Opposed by Apple

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed the App Store Accountability Act into law, requiring app stores like Apple’s and Google’s to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent before minors can download most apps or make in-app purchases. The law, modeled after Utah’s similar legislation, will take effect on January 1, 2026, making Texas the second state in the U.S. to enact such requirements. Tech giants Apple and Google strongly opposed the bill, arguing it threatens user privacy by mandating age verification for all, not just minors, and could require the collection of sensitive personal information. Apple CEO Tim Cook personally called Governor Abbott in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the bill’s passage. Despite offering alternative proposals centered on less intrusive data sharing, Apple and Google were unable to sway lawmakers. The new law is part of a growing trend of state-level efforts to regulate minors' access to online services, with other states considering similar measures and federal lawmakers monitoring the debate.