Texas Takes a Stand: New Online Safety Law Challenges Tech Giants Apple and Google

In a significant move for online safety, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a law aimed at protecting children from potential risks on digital platforms, explicitly targeting major tech companies Apple and Google. This legislation mandates that these companies verify the ages of users accessing their app stores, requiring parental consent for minors to download applications or make in-app purchases.

The law faces considerable opposition from both Apple and Google, with Apple arguing that it presents a threat to user privacy by necessitating the collection of personal information for every Texan wanting to download an app. An Apple spokesperson expressed concerns that the legislation could expose sensitive data, regardless of the app’s nature, suggesting alternative solutions to enhance kids’ online safety without compromising user privacy. Meanwhile, Google has yet to publicly respond to the law’s implications.

Texas joins other states like Utah, which have passed similar age-verification measures. At the federal level, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which seeks to enforce safety standards across social media platforms, remains stalled in Congress despite bipartisan support. The push for local legislation reflects frustration at the lack of national regulations, prompting states to address online safety independently.

This recent law is part of Texas’s broader trend of legislating against Silicon Valley, including a prior law against politically motivated bans on social media platforms. As the January 1 effective date approaches, the repercussions of this legislation will likely resonate through the tech community and beyond.