Federal Push for App Store Age Checks Sparks Debate Over Privacy and Online Safety

A new federal bill is on the horizon that could dramatically reshape how users interact with app stores. Republican lawmakers Senator Mike Lee of Utah and Representative John James of Michigan are preparing to introduce the App Store Accountability Act, a proposal that would mandate app stores to verify users’ ages and share that information with developers. This mirrors legislation already enacted in Utah and signals growing momentum for national online safety reforms.

If approved, the law would require any app store with more than five million users to confirm a user's age at the time of account registration. Based on the verification, app developers would be informed of the user's age group: under 13 as “young child,” 13–15 as “child,” 16–17 as “teenager,” and 18 or older as “adult.” However, the data would have to be shared in a way that protects users’ personal identities, and minors would need parental approval to download or make purchases within apps.

According to Senator Lee, the bill targets the root of the problem by preventing children from being exposed to violent or explicit content or coming into contact with online predators. “Our legislation brings age verification and accountability to the source of the problem,” Lee stated. He emphasized that kids are currently at risk of encountering harmful material online with few meaningful safeguards in place.

The legislation has been welcomed by major social media platforms like Meta, Snap, and X, which support the idea of app stores acting as centralized age verification hubs. These companies argue that this model would allow them to create safer digital environments without having to implement separate age checks on their individual platforms. “Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their child’s age and grant permission for them to download apps in a privacy-preserving way,” the three companies said in a joint statement.

Despite the backing from social media giants, tech companies that operate app stores — particularly Apple and Google — have expressed concerns. Apple has long championed user privacy and warned that requiring all users to submit sensitive information, such as ID scans or facial recognition, could pose significant privacy risks. Apple noted that only a small percentage of apps require age verification, yet the law would still force every user to surrender personal information.

Google echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that age verification should be a shared duty between app stores and developers. A company spokesperson stated that while it is crucial to protect children and empower parents, the approach must also respect user privacy and avoid centralized data collection that could be misused or breached. “We believe in shared responsibility,” said Danielle Cohen, emphasizing the importance of dialogue with lawmakers.

Although Apple and Google already filter objectionable content in their app stores, many safety advocates and parents remain especially concerned about social platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. These platforms, while making strides in youth safety, are still frequently flagged for exposing teens to addictive content or allowing risky interactions with strangers. The bill’s supporters argue that additional protections at the app store level could act as a stronger first line of defense.

Legal and privacy experts, however, warn that age verification could come at a constitutional cost. They point out that requiring users — not just children, but all individuals — to present identification could infringe on First Amendment rights by limiting access to protected online speech. The Chamber of Progress, an industry-backed advocacy group, has previously flagged such concerns in response to Utah’s legislation.

Still, the bill’s sponsors insist that the new measure provides crucial support for families. They argue that tech companies should face the same standards as brick-and-mortar stores when it comes to selling or providing age-sensitive material. “Kids cannot consent,” said Rep. James. “Any company that exposes them to addictive or adult material should be held accountable. The App Store Accountability Act holds Big Tech companies to the same standard as local corner stores.”