In a move aimed at bolstering online safety, Utah has become the first state in the US to enact the “App Store Accountability Act”. This pioneering legislation mandates that app store platforms verify the age of their users and obtain parental consent before minors can download apps. By shifting the onus of age verification from individual websites or apps to the app stores themselves, this law adopts an approach that social media giants like Meta, Snap, and X have long supported. These companies have also been advocating for federal action along similar lines, seeking to make it easier for parents to control and authorize app downloads for their children.
The Chamber of Progress, an organization backed by Meta, Apple, and Google, has sounded a warning that this law may inadvertently compromise privacy and freedom of information. Citing a Supreme Court ruling, they argue that mandatory age verification could infringe upon access to legally protected content and potentially violate the US Constitution. This concern is not unwarranted, especially as the Supreme Court is set to deliberate on age verification issues later this year, albeit with a focus on adult websites. Moreover, privacy experts point out that rigorous age verification without relying on additional personal data remains a technically daunting task, which could ultimately undermine user privacy and security.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it’s crucial to strike a balance between safeguarding users, particularly minors, and preserving the fundamental rights to privacy and information. While the intention behind the App Store Accountability Act is commendable, its implementation and potential consequences warrant careful consideration. For more information on this developing story, you can visit The Verge.
