Texas governor signs age verification law on Google and Apple’s app stores

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill requiring Apple and Google to verify the age of users on their app stores.

The new law means minors will need parental approval before downloading apps or making in-app purchases.

Apple has opposed the restrictions, with CEO Tim Cook reportedly calling the Texas governor personally to urge a veto before the bill was signed.

Now enacted, an Apple spokesperson said: “We believe there are better proposals that help keep kids safe without requiring millions of people to turn over their personal information.”

Utah, another conservative US state, was the first in the country to pass a similar law earlier this year.

On top of this, a new bill in Texas, passed by the House of Representatives and awaiting a Senate vote, aims to restrict access to social media platforms for users under the age of 18.

If enacted, the legislation would prohibit all underage residents from creating accounts on platforms such as TikTok, X, Facebook, and Snapchat. It would also require social media companies to verify the age of every new user.

For existing underage users, the bill gives parents the right to request account deletion. Platforms would be legally required to comply within 10 days or face financial penalties.

The US states follow a global trend: Australia was among the first countries to ban social media for under-16s entirely, and the UK’s communications regulator has set a deadline of 24 July for online services unsuitable for children to implement age verification.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than one in 10 adolescents have shown signs of problematic social media use, such as struggling to control their screen time or experiencing negative consequences.