California Bill Mandates Age Verification for App Stores and OS Providers After Unanimous Assembly Vote

California's Age Verification Bill for App Stores Clears Assembly with Unanimous Vote A California bill that would require operating system and app store providers to verify users' ages before they can download apps has taken a significant step forward, clearing the Assembly 58-0. The Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), introduced by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, will now move on to Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration. The bill does not require photo identification for verification but instead puts the onus on platforms to provide tools for parents to indicate the user's age during a device's setup and use this information to steer kids toward age-appropriate content and screen time. This approach has been met with support from major tech companies, including Google, Meta, and others. "We believe that AB 1043 is one of the most thoughtful approaches we've seen thus far to the challenges of keeping kids safe," said Kareem Ghanem, Google's Senior Director of Government Affairs Public Policy. "It recognizes that this is a shared responsibility between parents, technology companies, and policymakers." The bill comes after Utah and Texas adopted app store age verification laws earlier this year, which have been criticized for posing potential privacy risks and faced opposition from tech giants like Google and Apple. Background on the issue shows that concerns about children's online safety and exposure to mature content have led to increased scrutiny of app stores and operating systems. The California bill aims to address these concerns by requiring age verification without compromising user data or introducing unnecessary barriers for legitimate users. Supporters of the bill argue that it strikes a balance between protecting minors and respecting users' rights, while critics remain concerned about potential overreach and unintended consequences. The bill's passage through the Assembly marks an important milestone in the legislative process. With Gov. Newsom's signature, California would join Utah and Texas as states with app store age verification laws on the books. As the bill moves forward, stakeholders will continue to weigh in on its implications for users, developers, and tech companies. The Digital Age Assurance Act has sparked a national conversation about children's online safety and the role of technology in protecting minors. The California bill is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Newsom in the coming weeks, pending further review and consideration. *Reporting by Engadget.*