California Assembly Unanimously Approves Age Verification Bill for App Stores and OS Providers

California's Age Verification Bill for App Stores Clears Assembly with Unanimous Vote A bill requiring operating system and app store providers to verify users' ages before downloading apps has cleared the California Assembly with a unanimous 58-0 vote. The Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) will now move on to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk for consideration. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, does not require photo identification for verification but instead puts the onus on platforms to provide tools for parents to indicate a user's age during device setup. This information would then be used to steer kids toward age-appropriate content and screen time. Google's Senior Director of Government Affairs Public Policy, Kareem Ghanem, praised the bill as "one of the most thoughtful approaches we've seen thus far" in addressing the challenges of keeping children safe online. He acknowledged that it recognizes the shared responsibility between tech companies and parents to ensure kids' safety. The California bill has been met with more positive reception from Big Tech compared to similar laws adopted by Utah and Texas earlier this year. Those laws have faced criticism for posing potential privacy risks, with Google and Apple among those opposing them. Wicks' bill aims to address concerns about children's online safety without compromising user data protection. "We need to ensure that our kids are safe online while also protecting their right to free speech," Wicks said in a statement. "This bill strikes the right balance between these two competing interests." The California bill has been supported by major tech companies, including Google, Meta, and others, which have issued statements in favor of the legislation ahead of its Senate vote on Friday. Background and context: California's move to implement age verification for app stores comes as concerns about children's online safety continue to grow. The issue gained momentum after Utah and Texas adopted similar laws earlier this year, sparking debates over potential privacy risks. The Digital Age Assurance Act has been seen as a more balanced approach by many in the tech industry. "We believe that this bill is a step in the right direction," said Meta spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous. "It acknowledges the importance of protecting children's online safety while also recognizing the need for responsible innovation." Current status and next developments: The bill will now be sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until October 15th to sign or veto it. If signed into law, California would become the third state to implement age verification requirements for app stores. As the bill moves forward, tech companies are likely to continue their efforts to shape its implementation and ensure that it does not compromise user data protection. The outcome of this legislation will have significant implications for the tech industry, parents, and children's online safety in California and beyond. *Reporting by Engadget.*