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Congress·In Committee·S. 1586

New Senate Bill Requires App Stores to Verify User Ages and Get Parental Permission for Minors

App Store Accountability Act

11 months ago·View on Congress.gov
Part of: Congress proposes legislation requiring app stores to verify user ages via digit
⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

↔Companion bill: New Bill Would Require App Stores to Get Parental Permission Before Kids Download Apps

Legislative Progress

Senate
House
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill requires large app stores—those with more than 5 million users—to verify the age of every person who creates an account. It creates four specific age groups: young children (under 13), children (13 to 15), teenagers (16 and 17), and adults (18 and older).
  • If a user is under 18, the app store must link their account to a verified parent's account. Parents would have to give clear, informed permission before their child can download any new app or spend money on in-app purchases.
  • App developers would be required to give parents a clear description of what personal data the app collects and who they share it with. If an app makes a major change to its privacy settings or features, the app store must notify the parent and get their permission again.
  • The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general would be responsible for making sure companies follow these rules. Companies that fail to verify ages or ignore parental consent could face legal action and fines for deceptive business practices.
  • If passed, these rules would take effect one year later. While the policy aims to protect kids, it would require users to provide more personal information to app stores to prove their age, and it would stop developers from enforcing contracts against minors without parental proof.
Technology DigitalCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
May 1, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

May 1, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 1 year of enactment

FTC issues guidance for app stores and developers on how to comply with the new law

Companies would get clearer instructions on what age verification methods are acceptable and how to handle parental consent, helping them prepare before enforcement begins.

1 year after enactment

New age verification and parental consent requirements take effect for major app stores

Parents would need verified accounts linked to their children's accounts. Minors could no longer download apps or make in-app purchases without parental permission. Every new account holder would go through age verification.

1 Article

news_articleCenter

Developers push back on app store age verification bill

Related Bills

1 bill
H.R. 3149Identical bill

App Store Accountability Act

Dec 11 — Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

App Store Accountability Act

Bill NumberS 1586
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.