Texas Enacts New Online Safety Law Requiring Age Verification for App Downloads

Texas has passed a new online safety law aimed at protecting children, making it mandatory for app store operators like Apple and Google to verify the age of users before allowing them to download apps or make in-app purchases. Signed by Governor Greg Abbott, the legislation will take effect on January 1, 2026, and applies across the state—the second most populous in the U.S.

Under the new law, minors will need parental approval not only to download apps but also to make any purchases within them. The law is part of a growing wave of state-led initiatives designed to address concerns over children’s exposure to harmful online content and lack of safeguards on digital platforms.

However, major tech companies are pushing back. Apple, which has supported other child safety measures such as the federal Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), criticized the Texas law for what it sees as a dangerous overreach. “We believe there are better proposals that help keep kids safe without requiring millions of people to turn over their personal information,” an Apple spokesperson said. The company expressed “deep concern” over the privacy implications, arguing that the law would force app marketplaces to collect sensitive identifying data from every Texan, regardless of the type of app being downloaded.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple CEO Tim Cook even made a personal call to Governor Abbott earlier this month in an attempt to halt the bill’s passage. Google, which also opposed the legislation, has yet to issue a public comment.

The move by Texas follows a similar law passed earlier this year in Utah. In the absence of federal regulation, states have begun crafting their own laws to fill the gap. At the national level, lawmakers have reintroduced the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, which aims to compel social media platforms to implement child-focused design features. Though passed by the U.S. Senate last year, KOSA stalled in the House of Representatives. Apple has voiced support for the federal bill, calling it a more balanced approach.

The debate over who should bear responsibility for age verification has become a central issue in discussions on online safety. Social media companies like Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, have argued that Apple and Google should be responsible for verifying user ages through their app stores.

Apple, for its part, has recently expanded its own child safety measures. In February, the company introduced features requiring new users to select an age range during device setup. For children under 13, parental approval is now required to access the App Store or other services that use facial recognition or other sensitive data.

This is not the first time Texas has taken aggressive steps to regulate Big Tech. In 2021, the state passed a law prohibiting social media platforms from banning users based on their political viewpoints—a move sparked by Republican concerns over alleged censorship.

With its latest legislation, Texas once again finds itself at the center of a national debate over digital privacy, safety, and the role of government in shaping how children interact with technology. As the law’s implementation date nears, the clash between state policy and Silicon Valley is likely to intensify.