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Utah Enacts App Store Accountability Act Amid Concerns Over Privacy
In a significant move, Utah Governor Spencer Cox has signed the App Store Accountability Act into law, marking Utah as the first state in the United States to mandate app store operators to verify the ages of their users. This new legislation stipulates that individuals must be at least 18 years old to create a new account with an app store, while younger users will have to connect their accounts to a parent’s account, thereby requiring adult consent for access to certain applications.
According to the bill’s sponsor, state Senator Todd Weiler, a Republican, the primary goal of the legislation is to enhance protection for children and teenagers using digital platforms. However, this initiative has sparked a broader debate regarding privacy issues and the responsibilities of app stores in preventing minors from being exposed to inappropriate content. Major tech companies, including Meta, Snap, and X, have expressed their support for the legislation, emphasizing the importance of parents and users having increased control over teenagers’ app downloads. In a joint statement, they urged other states to adopt similar measures, framing this approach as beneficial in reducing the necessity for users to repeatedly provide personal information to various applications.
In contrast, Google, the operator of the Play Store, opposed the bill and urged the governor to veto it. Following the signing of the bill, inquiries have been directed to both Apple and Google for their perspectives on this new law.
As it currently stands, the App Store Accountability Act is set to take effect on May 7, although it is anticipated to encounter legal challenges. Organizations focused on digital privacy issues have voiced their concerns, specifically regarding the security of sensitive data related to age verification. Similar laws enacted in other states requiring online services to verify users’ ages have previously led to legal disputes.
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www.engadget.com