Texas Signs New App Store Law: Check How Age Checks Will Change on Apple and Google

Texas Signs New App Store Law: In a groundbreaking move, Texas has signed into law a new legislation that will significantly impact the way Apple and Google handle age verification on their app stores. This law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott on May 27, 2025, seeks to regulate how minors access apps and make purchases on mobile devices. With privacy concerns and child safety at the forefront, this law aims to ensure that young users are protected from potentially harmful content or unauthorized purchases.

This legislation requires Apple and Google to implement age verification checks before users, particularly minors, can access apps or make in-app purchases. Additionally, the law mandates that children under 18 will need parental consent to download and use many apps. Although this law is a significant step toward enhancing online child safety, it has raised concerns in the tech industry about privacy and the implications of widespread data collection.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the Texas App Store Age Verification Law, how it will affect Apple and Google, and what this means for both consumers and app developers.

Texas Signs New App Store Law

The Texas App Store Age Verification Law represents a bold step toward protecting children’s online safety and privacy. While it has sparked concerns among tech giants like Apple and Google, the law aims to ensure that children’s access to digital content is safer and more regulated. As the law goes into effect in 2026, it will likely set a precedent for other states and may prompt further changes in online child protection laws nationwide.

This law is an important move in creating a safer digital environment for kids, but it also underscores the ongoing debate between privacy and safety in the digital age.

Understanding the Texas App Store Age Verification Law

The Texas App Store Age Verification Law marks a major shift in how online safety will be managed for minors using digital platforms. Essentially, the law mandates that all apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store will need to implement age checks for any user attempting to download an app or make purchases within it. This process will involve asking for age-related information and requiring parental consent for children under 18.

The goal is to protect minors from inappropriate content or unauthorized transactions, especially in an age where children can easily access apps with social media, gaming, and other interactive features. Although this is a state-level initiative, its potential to influence national standards is high, as both Apple and Google are global companies with operations across many jurisdictions.

The law applies not only to entertainment apps but also to utilities, education tools, and any application accessible to minors. It’s part of a broader trend of tightening regulations aimed at protecting children online, which has gained momentum in other states like Utah.

The Legal Framework Behind the Law

The Texas Age Verification Law was designed to address increasing concerns about the safety of children in the digital realm. By requiring age verification, Texas hopes to curb exposure to age-inappropriate content such as explicit material, cyberbullying, and online predators.

Parental Consent Requirement

One of the most significant provisions of the law is the parental consent clause. Under the new regulation, children under 18 years of age will need their parent’s permission to download apps or make in-app purchases. This is a crucial step in preventing unauthorized spending and ensuring that parents are fully aware of the content their children are engaging with.

For example, if a child wants to download a new social media app, the app store will prompt for the child’s age, and then a verification step will ensure that a parent has approved the app before it can be downloaded. In the case of in-app purchases, similar checks will be required, ensuring that any spending is monitored by the parent.

Comparison with International Regulations

While Texas is the first state to adopt such a sweeping age verification law, similar regulations have already been implemented in other parts of the world. In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) introduced a requirement for age verification in services targeting children. The GDPR sets the minimum age for digital consent at 16, though it allows member states to lower it to 13.

The United Kingdom has also been active in introducing child protection measures online, with legislation requiring parental consent for children under 13 to use social media platforms. Similarly, Australia passed laws requiring social media platforms to implement age checks to protect children from cyberbullying and harmful content.

Global Impact

These international regulations underscore the growing consensus worldwide about the need to protect children in the digital space. Texas’s move could encourage other states or countries to adopt similar measures, further shaping the future of online safety and privacy.

Industry Reactions

Apple’s Opposition

Apple has expressed strong concerns over the new law. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, personally reached out to Governor Abbott to veto the bill. Apple’s primary concern revolves around privacy. The company argues that verifying a user’s age and collecting that sensitive information could expose users to privacy risks. According to Apple, such checks could lead to breaches in data security and compromise personal information, even when the apps in question are non-invasive and don’t deal with sensitive data.

Apple’s worry is that implementing these checks across all apps — even those that are innocuous, like weather apps — would necessitate the collection of more personal information from users. This could set a troubling precedent for other states to adopt similar measures, leading to a more fragmented and less secure online ecosystem.

Google’s Concerns

Similarly, Google has voiced concerns about how this new law might negatively affect its platform. Google has pointed out that while the intention behind the law is valid, the enforcement mechanisms could lead to vulnerabilities. For instance, more widespread data collection could expose users to cyber threats and might not be effective in ensuring that children’s online safety is significantly enhanced.

On the other hand, social media giants like Meta and Snap have supported the legislation. These companies are in favor of shifting the responsibility of age verification to the app stores themselves rather than having individual developers manage it. This aligns with their ongoing efforts to protect minors on their platforms.

How Will This Law Affect Consumers?

The Texas App Store Law will directly affect consumers, especially parents and children. Here’s what users can expect:

Age Verification for App Downloads

When trying to download an app, users will be prompted to enter their age before accessing the app. This is especially relevant for children who may be attempting to download apps with social media features, games, or other forms of content that could be inappropriate for their age group.

Parental Controls for In-App Purchases

For apps that offer in-app purchases — such as gaming apps where kids often make purchases — the new law will enforce parental controls. Parents will be required to give explicit consent before children can spend money within these apps. This could be a huge benefit to parents who want to prevent accidental or unauthorized purchases.

Impact on App Developers

App developers will also need to adapt to these changes. Apps that are available for download in Texas will need to implement systems to verify the age of the user and get the necessary parental consent. This means developers will have to adjust their sign-up processes, potentially adding new screens to collect consent information. This could be an additional expense and logistical hurdle for smaller developers, but it will be necessary for compliance with the law.

Potential Challenges and Criticisms

While the law aims to safeguard children, it does come with its challenges. Critics argue that enforcing age verification could lead to privacy violations and may even be ineffective at preventing harm. The implementation of this law could create confusion among developers, who may struggle with how to collect and handle age data properly.

Additionally, smaller developers might find the cost of compliance prohibitive, potentially leading to fewer available apps for children in the Texas market.

The Future of Digital Child Safety Laws

Looking forward, this law may represent a trend in digital child protection laws. As more states consider implementing similar measures, there may be an opportunity for federal regulations to create a uniform system across the United States. This could result in a more secure and consistent framework for protecting children online.

FAQs About Texas Signs New App Store Law

1. What is the Texas App Store Age Verification Law?

The law requires app stores like Apple’s and Google’s to verify users’ ages before allowing them to download apps or make in-app purchases. Minors under 18 will need parental consent to access many apps.

2. When will the law take effect?

The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

3. Will this law affect all apps?

Yes, the law applies to all apps, including those that may seem harmless, like weather apps or educational tools.

4. Do other states have similar laws?

Yes, Utah has already enacted similar regulations, and other states may follow suit.

5. What if I don’t want my child to use certain apps?

With the new age verification laws in place, you’ll be able to have more control over what your child downloads and the apps they use.