Texas Governor Signs Off on App Store Law Against Tim Cook's Wishes

Texas Governor Greg Abbott today signed into law the App Store Accountability Act, which will require Apple and Google to verify the age of App Store and Play Store users, respectively. The law will require users who are under the age of 18 to receive parental consent to download apps or make in-app purchases, according to Reuters.

iOS App Store General Feature JoeBlue
Apple CEO Tim Cook had reportedly asked Abbott to veto the legislation on a phone call, but evidently his attempt was unsuccessful.

The bill had already passed both the Senate and House of Representatives in Texas, and now that it has been signed by Abbott, it will take effect on January 1, 2026. Texas is the second U.S. state to pass a child safety law of this kind, following Utah in March. Utah's law took effect earlier this month, but it will not be fully enforced until next year.

Apple already announced several new child safety measures in February, after these bills were proposed. While setting up an iPhone or iPad running iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4 or later, the person who will be using the device must select their age range, with the available options including 12 or younger, 13 to 18, and 19 or older. If the account is for a child under the age of 13, there is a Connect to Family option. A parent needs to provide consent for a child to use the ‌App Store‌ and other features, with Face ID or Touch ID authentication required.

It remains to be seen if Apple's expanded age-verification measures will be enough to fully satisfy the laws in Texas and Utah, and others that may follow.

Apple and Google both opposed these age verification laws, citing privacy concerns related to having to collect age information for all users.

"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 if it's an app that simply provides weather updates or sports scores," said Apple.

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Top Rated Comments

gbc204 Avatar
6 weeks ago
The Party of Small Government out here governmenting again...
Score: 71 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Morod Avatar
6 weeks ago
Apple, end all commerce with Texas ASAP.
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DEMinSoCAL Avatar
6 weeks ago
Well, color me confused because the Republican's new "Big Beautiful Bill" thinks 7 year old's can be self-dependent.
I guess 7 is old enough to work and get money to buy food, but not download apps on the App Store.

https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/05/23/big-beautiful-bill-gop-dependents/
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
6 weeks ago

Apple CEO Tim Cook had reportedly ('https://www.wsj.com/tech/tim-cook-called-texas-governor-to-stop-online-child-safety-legislation-22858ad4') asked Abbott to veto the legislation on a phone call, but evidently his attempt was unsuccessful.
A phone call? Cook should have donated to Abbott's inauguration fund
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
It’s always something Avatar
6 weeks ago

The Party of Small Government out here governmenting again...
Yep, in the state of Small Government.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
6 weeks ago

Apple, end all commerce with Texas ASAP.
Apple should relocate the planned Texas AI server factory

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/24/apple-to-open-texas-ai-server-factory-in-500-billion-us-expansion.html

* Apple said it will work with partners to open a 250,000-square-foot AI server manufacturing facility in Houston.
* The new factory, which is slated to open in 2026, will form part of a $500 billion investment in the U.S. over the next four years.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)