Texas Online Safety Bill Signed into Law - Apple's Tim Cook Opposed

Texas Enacts New Online Child Safety Law

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has formally enacted legislation concerning online child safety. This new law mandates that both Apple and Google’s application stores must verify the ages of their users.

Parental consent will now be required prior to minors downloading applications or completing purchases within apps. The provisions of this law are scheduled to become operational on January 1st.

Industry Response and Concerns

The bill garnered significant attention recently when reports surfaced indicating Apple CEO Tim Cook contacted Governor Abbott. The purpose of this communication was to advocate for either the withdrawal or modification of the legislation following its passage through the Texas legislature.

Both Apple and Google actively collaborated with various interest groups to oppose the bill’s enactment. Apple specifically voiced concerns that implementing such a law could potentially compromise user privacy.

Legislative Efforts in Other States

Apple’s lobbying efforts were successful in preventing similar legislation from being passed in Louisiana last year. However, Louisiana legislators are currently re-examining the possibility of enacting a comparable bill.

Utah previously established a similar law governing app stores, which took effect earlier this year. Currently, at least nine additional states are reportedly considering the implementation of their own versions of this legislation.

Key Provisions and Future Outlook

The core aim of the Texas law is to enhance protections for children navigating the digital landscape. It places the responsibility of age verification and parental consent directly on the major app store providers.

This legislation represents a growing trend among states seeking to regulate online platforms and safeguard minors. The outcome in Texas will likely influence similar debates and legislative actions across the nation.