You may soon be asked to verify your age whenever you try downloading an app—even if it’s just for weather updates. That’s the future Apple is fighting to prevent. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has personally spoken out against a proposed law in Texas, Senate Bill 2420 (SB 2420), requiring app stores like Apple to verify the age of all users accessing their platforms.
The bill has passed through the Texas legislature and is now awaiting Governor Greg Abbott’s signature. If it becomes law, app store operators would need to collect and store sensitive personal data to confirm the age of every Texas person wanting to download an app. Apple believes this would do more harm than good.
Apple argues the law puts your privacy at risk
Apple said it shares the goal of making the internet safer for children but has serious concerns about how SB 2420 could affect the privacy of all users. “We are deeply concerned that SB 2420 threatens the privacy of all users,” said Apple spokesperson Peter Ajemian. “If enacted, app marketplaces will be required to collect and keep sensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app—even for something as simple as a weather or sports app.”
Apple believes the bill would force companies to retain more user data than necessary, creating unnecessary privacy risks. The company has instead voiced support for a different approach: the federal Kids Online Safety Act, which would hold web platforms responsible for protecting young users rather than placing the burden on app stores.
Other tech giants and states weigh in on the debate
SB 2420 is just one of several age-verification laws being considered or passed across the United States. At least nine other states are considering similar bills that would entrust app store operators with the responsibility of checking users’ ages. Utah has already passed such a law. These laws are often tied to broader efforts to limit young people’s access to social media, sometimes banning them from using certain platforms without parental permission—or at all.
In Texas, age verification is already required for adult websites. That law has sparked legal challenges and is now the subject of a U.S. Supreme Court case. This legal fight could set a major precedent for handling online age checks.
Tim Cook and Governor Abbott recently had what was described as a “cordial” conversation. During this conversation, Cook reportedly asked the governor to either veto SB 2420 or amend it. A spokesperson for Abbott said the governor will “thoughtfully review” the bill, just as he does with all proposed laws.
Privacy advocates speak out, while Apple and Meta take different sides
Civil liberties groups have long opposed mandatory digital age-verification systems. They say these systems often don’t work well and put users’ privacy at risk. Despite this, pressure is growing on companies to act. Some groups, including Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram), want phone makers like Apple and Google to build age-check tools directly into their systems. This would shift the responsibility away from individual websites or apps.
While Apple and Google already offer optional parental controls, making these tools a legal requirement could lead to major privacy and legal challenges if they fail to protect children properly.
Google, which owns both the Android operating system and YouTube, is reportedly lobbying against SB 2420 and the federal Kids Online Safety Act. This puts Google in a difficult position, as it could be required to follow new rules from both sides.
One thing is clear as the battle over internet safety and privacy continues. How lawmakers and tech companies handle this issue will affect how you use the internet in the near future.
