Utah Passes First US App Store Age Verification Law (progresschamber.org)
(Wednesday March 05, 2025 @10:50PM (msmash)
from the how-about-that dept.)
- Reference: 0176626141
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/03/06/0348233/utah-passes-first-us-app-store-age-verification-law
- Source link: https://progresschamber.org/utah-passes-app-store-age-verification-bill-despite-constitutional-concerns/
Utah has become the first U.S. state to pass legislation requiring app store operators to [1]verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors downloading apps .
The App Store Accountability Act adds to a wave of children's online safety bills advancing through state legislatures nationwide. Similar legislation has faced legal challenges, with many being blocked in courts. A comparable federal bill failed last year amid free expression concerns.
The approach shifts verification responsibility to mobile app stores rather than individual websites, a move supported by Meta, Snap, and X in a joint statement urging Congress to follow suit. "Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their child's age and grant permission," they stated. Critics, including Chamber of Progress, warn the law threatens privacy and constitutional rights. A federal judge previously blocked a similar Utah law over First Amendment concerns.
[1] https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0142.html
The App Store Accountability Act adds to a wave of children's online safety bills advancing through state legislatures nationwide. Similar legislation has faced legal challenges, with many being blocked in courts. A comparable federal bill failed last year amid free expression concerns.
The approach shifts verification responsibility to mobile app stores rather than individual websites, a move supported by Meta, Snap, and X in a joint statement urging Congress to follow suit. "Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their child's age and grant permission," they stated. Critics, including Chamber of Progress, warn the law threatens privacy and constitutional rights. A federal judge previously blocked a similar Utah law over First Amendment concerns.
[1] https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0142.html
I approve! (Score:2)
by dskoll ( 99328 )
If the age verification only applies to apps, it means web sites will stop creating stupid apps that are really just wrappers around web sites, and start making their product work in a normal web browser. Unintended consequences FTW!
Sister Wives (Score:2)
Does this law also apply to sister-wives under the age of consent?
That hasn't bothered Utahans que estan Mormon previoso.
Re: (Score:2)
More than 0.
Re: (Score:1)
The US sounds like such a religious mess.
Re: (Score:1)
Total shitshow.