New Age Assurance Requirements for Apps in Texas by Apple
In a significant update, Apple has disclosed critical information on its developer website regarding the new state law (SB2420) aimed at enhancing app safety for minors in Texas. This law mandates “age assurance”procedures that will come into effect on January 1, 2026.
Key Provisions of the SB2420 Law
Under the newly enacted legislation, individuals in Texas creating a new Apple account must verify their age. Users will fall into one of four age categories, each with distinct regulations:
- Child: Users younger than 13 years.
- Younger Teenager: Users aged 13 to 15 years.
- Older Teenager: Users aged 16 to 17 years.
- Adult: Users aged 18 years and older.
Impact on Family Sharing and App Downloads
All new Apple account holders under the age of 18 will be required to join a Family Sharing group. This addition means that their parents or guardians will have to give explicit consent for all App Store downloads, purchases, and in-app transactions. Furthermore, parents will have the option to withdraw their consent for specific apps as needed.
Developer Adjustments Required
To comply with the law, developers will need to make necessary modifications to their apps to align with these new requirements. Although these changes are specific to Texas, similar app regulations are expected to be implemented later in the year in Utah and Louisiana.
Apple’s Perspective on Privacy and Safety
Apple has voiced its concerns regarding the implications of SB2420 on user privacy. The company believes that while it supports enhanced safety measures for children online, the requirement to collect sensitive personal information for app downloads, even for non-sensitive applications like weather or sports apps, could infringe on user privacy.
“While we share the goal of strengthening kids’ online safety, we are concerned that SB2420 impacts the privacy of users by requiring the collection of sensitive, personally identifiable information to download any app, even if a user simply wants to check the weather or sports scores.”
Upcoming Developer Tools
In the near future, developers in Texas will gain access to the updated Declared Age Range API, which will assist in determining the appropriate age categories for newly registered users. Additionally, Apple plans to introduce new APIs allowing developers to prompt users to reconfirm parental consent after significant changes to their apps.
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