Utah becomes the first state in the country to pass a law requiring app stores to verify users’ age to download apps on devices.The bill currently sits on Gov
Utah becomes the first state in the country to pass a law requiring app stores to verify users’ age to download apps on devices. The bill currently sits on Gov. Spencer Cox’s desk and puts social media giants against app stores in a fight for who’s responsible for verifying ages - something a dozen other states have bills they’ve introduced in the fight over children’s internet safety.
App stores are responding to the new law with Apple saying requiring app stores to verify ages will make it, so all users have to give them personal information like a driver’s license, passport, or social security number even if they don’t want to use an age-restricted app. That brings up a question of privacy and sharing private personal information. The Utah bill would require app stores to request age information when someone creates an account. If a minor tries to open one, it will direct them to link it to their parent’s account. It is possible a credit card could be used for the age verification. A federal judge blocked Utah’s first in the nation law in 2024 that required social media companies to check the ages of all users and place restrictions on accounts belonging to minors. This new law appears to be a way around that, targeting thousands of apps instead of just a few. If the governor signs the SB 142, it would take effect May 7, 2025. He previously supported the state law requiring age verification on social media.
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