Apple is opposing new laws that would require it to enforce age limits on apps in its App Store. This move comes as concerns grow about how social media and smartphone use affect teenagers’ mental health.
Legislators across various US states are proposing new rules to regulate how age restrictions are implemented on social media and other apps. These proposals arise from the increasing worries about the potential negative effects of digital platforms on young minds. The primary debate revolves around whether age verification should be handled by the app stores or by the apps themselves.
Earlier this year, a bill in Louisiana aimed to make tech companies responsible for enforcing age restrictions. This idea, influenced by similar proposals from companies like Meta, would have required app stores to manage age verification. Although the bill passed through the Senate, it was changed to remove the requirement for app stores to enforce these rules.
What is Apple’s stand
Apple argues that app developers and social media platforms are better suited to manage age verification due to privacy concerns associated with sharing user data with third parties. Apple believes that enforcing these restrictions at the app level maintains user privacy more effectively.
In contrast, other tech companies, like Meta and and app developers like Tinder’s parent company Match Group, believe that a centralised age verification through app stores will be better as they believe this approach could provide a more consistent and reliable method of managing age restrictions across various apps.
Apple’s resistance to these legislative changes highlights the ongoing tension between technology companies and lawmakers over how best to protect younger users online. This issue is becoming increasingly relevant as more states introduce law aimed at safeguarding minors in the digital age.
