Texas is preparing to enact a new law that would require major tech companies like Apple and Google to implement age verification systems on their app stores. Under Senate Bill 2420, which has passed both houses of the Texas Legislature with overwhelming support, app store platforms must verify the age of users and obtain parental consent for those under 18 before allowing app downloads or in-app purchases. The bill is now awaiting Governor Greg Abbott’s signature and could soon become law.
The proposed law would apply to all apps distributed through Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, placing the onus on platform providers to enforce age controls rather than relying on individual app developers. If enacted, Texas would join Utah, which passed a similar law earlier this year. Federal lawmakers have also introduced comparable legislation, highlighting a broader effort to regulate children’s use of digital platforms amid rising concerns about social media’s impact on youth mental health.
Pushback from Apple and Google Over Data Privacy
Apple et Google ont tous deux exprimé leur opposition au projet de loi texan , exprimant des inquiétudes quant à la manière dont la loi impose la collecte d’informations personnelles sensibles. Apple a déclaré que la loi obligerait les boutiques d’applications à collecter et à stocker les données d’âge de chaque utilisateur au Texas, y compris ceux téléchargeant des applications non sensibles telles que les services météo ou les actualités sportives. L’entreprise a averti que de telles exigences générales pourraient engendrer des risques inutiles pour la vie privée.
Google a également réagi, arguant que les données relatives à l’âge ne devraient être partagées qu’avec les applications qui l’exigent, plutôt que de les rendre obligatoires pour tous. Kareem Ghanem, directeur principal des affaires gouvernementales et des politiques publiques de Google, a déclaré que l’industrie technologique soutenait la nécessité d’une réglementation, mais a souligné qu’elle devrait se concentrer sur des plateformes comme Meta, qui exploitent les services de médias sociaux les plus souvent liés aux préjudices causés aux jeunes. Les deux entreprises proposent d’utiliser des systèmes de partage par tranche d’âge plutôt qu’une vérification complète pour chaque application.
Un large soutien et une pression politique croissante
Supporters of the bill say platform-level controls are essential for protecting children online. Casey Stefanski, executive director of the Digital Childhood Alliance, stated that tech companies have historically prioritized profit over safety, and that only platform-wide enforcement will provide effective parental oversight. “Self-regulation in the digital marketplace has failed,” Stefanski told Reuters, backing Texas lawmakers’ push for stronger measures.
Public support for such initiatives is high. According to a 2023 Pew Research poll, 81% of Americans support requiring parental consent for children to create social media accounts, while 71% favor mandatory age verification before access. These numbers reflect growing national concern over the mental health effects of digital technology on minors. Across the U.S., dozens of states have filed lawsuits against Meta Platforms, and the U.S. Surgeon General has issued an advisory calling for tighter safeguards to protect young users.
🚨 Texas Advances Statewide Social Media Ban for Minors
— The Matrix (@thematrixloop) May 27, 2025
• Bill would ban social media use for under-18s starting April 2026.
• Platforms must verify age and delete accounts on parental request.
• Apple CEO Tim Cook lobbied against the bill; ACLU warns of rights issues. pic.twitter.com/A5OzNS5wSO
Growing International Momentum on Age Restrictions
Texas is not alone in pursuing stricter controls over digital access for minors. Australia introduced a nationwide ban on social media for children under 16 last year, and Norway is considering similar rules. The global debate over online safety for children has intensified, especially as more countries consider legislative action in response to the spread of harmful content and excessive screen time among youth.
The Texas bill, once signed into law, would mark a significant development in the U.S. regulatory landscape. It could serve as a model for other states or influence ongoing discussions at the federal level. While major tech platforms have proposed alternative systems, the political momentum for stricter online age controls continues to grow, driven by concerns from parents, advocacy groups, and policymakers across the ideological spectrum.
