Texas Enacts Online Child Safety Law Affecting Apple and Google

On May 27, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a pioneering online child safety bill that imposes new requirements on major app stores, including Apple’s App Store and Google Play. This legislation mandates that these platforms verify the age of users and secure parental approval before minors can download apps or make in-app purchases. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

This move by Texas follows a growing trend among U.S. states to enhance protections for children in the digital space. Utah was the first to enact similar legislation earlier this year, and at least nine other states are considering comparable laws. These efforts reflect increasing concerns about children’s exposure to inappropriate content and unauthorized spending within apps.

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook reportedly reached out directly to Governor Abbott to express opposition to the bill, emphasizing potential threats to user privacy that could arise from the mandated age verification processes. Apple and Google have also collaborated with interest groups to challenge the legislation. Notably, Apple lobbyists successfully blocked a similar bill in Louisiana last year, though that state is revisiting the issue.

The Texas law represents a significant regulatory shift that will require app stores to implement robust age verification systems and parental consent mechanisms. This raises complex challenges around balancing child safety with privacy rights and user experience. How these platforms adapt could set precedents for nationwide policies.

For developers and businesses operating within these app ecosystems, compliance will mean integrating new verification workflows and potentially rethinking app monetization strategies for younger users. The law’s implementation timeline gives stakeholders several months to prepare, but the technical and legal complexities involved are substantial.

In the broader context, Texas’s legislation is part of an accelerating movement toward greater accountability and safety in digital environments, especially for vulnerable populations like children. As more states consider similar laws, the tech industry faces mounting pressure to innovate privacy-preserving verification technologies that satisfy regulators and protect users alike.