Texas has passed a groundbreaking law forcing app stores to verify users’ ages, but privacy experts warn this could create dangerous data collection practices for every Texan who wants to download an app.
At a Glance
- Texas’s App Store Accountability Act requires age verification for all app downloads starting next year
- Users must provide government ID or biometric data to Apple and Google before downloading apps
- Parental consent will be required for minors, with app stores verifying parental authority
- Privacy experts warn of increased digital surveillance and potential data breaches
- The law could deter app downloads and potentially restrict First Amendment rights
New Age Verification Requirements
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed the App Store Accountability Act into law, creating unprecedented verification requirements for app stores operating in the state. Starting in 2025, Apple’s App Store and Google Play will be legally required to verify the age of every user before allowing them to download any application, regardless of the app’s content rating. This means Texans will need to provide some form of identification, such as a driver’s license or biometric data, even for downloading weather apps or simple games.
The legislation specifically targets major app marketplaces operated by Apple and Google, requiring them to implement systems that categorize users by age and share this information with app developers. For minors, the law mandates obtaining parental consent before allowing downloads, placing the responsibility on app stores to verify the authority of the consenting adult.
Privacy Concerns Mount
While supporters frame the law as a child protection measure, privacy advocates have raised serious concerns about its implications. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argue the verification requirements could create dangerous precedents for digital surveillance. Each verification creates an identifiable record of a user’s online activity, potentially tracking which applications Texans download and when they access them.
Critics point out the law lacks protections for minimizing data collection or limiting retention periods for the sensitive personal information gathered during verification. This raises questions about how long driver’s license information or biometric data will be stored and who will have access to it. The potential for third-party verification services further complicates matters, as personal data could be exposed to multiple companies rather than just Apple or Google.
Potential Data Security Risks
Technology companies, including Apple and Google, have expressed significant concerns about the data security implications of the new requirements. The law potentially creates massive databases of personal identification information linked to app download histories. Security experts warn that such centralized collections of sensitive data present prime targets for hackers and data breaches, putting Texans at risk of identity theft or unauthorized surveillance.
The verification requirements extend beyond simple age checks.
App stores must categorize users by age brackets and share this information with developers. This creates additional data exchange points where personal information could be compromised. Most concerning to privacy advocates is the absence of clear regulations regarding how this data must be protected, how long it can be retained, or what limitations exist on its use beyond age verification.
Constitutional Questions and Practical Impact
The EFF and ACLU have raised First Amendment concerns about the legislation. By creating barriers to downloading apps that contain protected speech, the law could effectively restrict access to constitutionally protected content. Many users may hesitate to provide government ID or biometric data just to download an application, potentially limiting their access to information, communication platforms, and digital services.
For families with children, the parental verification requirements add another layer of complexity. Parents must not only consent to downloads but also have their authority as parents verified by app stores. The law does not clearly define how this verification should occur, leaving questions about whether additional documentation will be required to prove parental relationships. These hurdles could disproportionately impact lower-income families or those without ready access to identification documents.
As Texas prepares to implement this first-of-its-kind legislation in 2025, both tech companies and privacy advocates are watching closely to see how verification systems will be designed and what precedents they might set for other states considering similar measures. The struggle between protecting children online and preserving digital privacy rights remains a challenging balancing act for lawmakers and technology platforms alike.
