Apple Locks Down iPhones to Comply With Texas Age Law
▼ Summary
– Texas will require Apple and Google to verify app store users’ ages starting next year, with Apple implementing new account age confirmation by January 1, 2026.
– Apple will require users under 18 to join Family Sharing groups and obtain parental consent for downloading apps or making in-app purchases.
– Developers must update apps using Apple’s Declared Age Range API and new APIs to request parental consent for significant app changes.
– Similar age verification laws are being implemented in Utah and Louisiana, with Google also providing guidance for Play Store developers.
– Apple opposes these laws, citing privacy concerns over collecting sensitive personal information for basic app downloads like weather or sports apps.
Beginning in January 2026, Apple will implement new age verification protocols for Apple Account creation in Texas, aligning with the state’s recently enacted legislation. The policy mandates that any individual establishing a new Apple Account must confirm they are at least 18 years old. For users under 18, access will be restricted unless they are part of a Family Sharing group, and a parent or guardian must grant explicit consent before the minor can download applications or complete in-app transactions.
These regulatory changes extend to software developers as well. Apple plans to enhance its existing Declared Age Range API, which allows developers to gather general age information from users. The company announced this tool will be upgraded in the coming months to incorporate the specific age categories Texas law requires for new account holders. Additionally, Apple is preparing to release new APIs later this year. These will let developers trigger a system prompt for renewed parental consent whenever they make a substantial update to their application.
Texas is not alone in pursuing these types of regulations. States including Utah and Louisiana have passed comparable statutes, with Apple confirming that analogous requirements will be enforced in those states later next year. Google has also issued its own guidance to assist Google Play developers in preparing for these impending age verification laws.
Despite these compliance measures, Apple has expressed reservations about the legislation. The company’s CEO, Tim Cook, personally contacted Texas Governor Greg Abbott to advocate for modifications to the SB2420 bill. In an official notice, Apple stated that while it supports the objective of improving online safety for children, it is concerned the law compromises user privacy. The requirement to collect sensitive personal information for downloading any app, even for benign activities like checking a weather forecast or sports scores, is a significant point of contention for the tech giant.
(Source: The Verge)