Home / Technology / Apple Enforces Age Checks in Texas App Store
Apple Enforces Age Checks in Texas App Store
4 Jun
Summary
- Texas users need age verification for new App Store accounts.
- Under 18s must join Family Sharing for app approvals.
- Federal appeals court allowed Texas' age verification law to proceed.
As of Thursday, June 4th, Apple is introducing age verification measures for its App Store specifically for users in Texas. This action comes after a federal appeals court permitted the Texas App Store Accountability Act to move forward while legal challenges continue.
New users in Texas will need to verify their age, being over 18, through methods like a credit card or government-issued ID. Apple may also verify ages based on existing account information. Minors under 18 will be required to join a Family Sharing group, with parents or guardians approving downloads and purchases.
Developers must also adapt, ensuring age-appropriate content and utilizing Apple's Declared Age Range API. Apple has committed to similar age checks in other jurisdictions, including Utah, Louisiana, Brazil, Australia, Singapore, and the UK, and Google is implementing comparable tools for its Play Store.
This development follows a December injunction against the App Store Accountability Act, which was reversed by an appeals court. A federal version of the law is also advancing in Congress, potentially leading to nationwide app store age verification.
