Meta, X, and Snap are commemorating the implementation of a new Utah law that mandates Apple and Google to verify the ages of users on their app stores and obtain parental consent for juveniles.

The tech titans have been in a heated debate regarding who should be responsible for age verification on the app stores.

Meta and other organizations are of the opinion that the app stores should independently verify the ages of users, as they are responsible for the hosting and distribution of the applications.

Nevertheless, the app stores contend that the companies that develop the applications should be held accountable, as they are the ones who provide the product to end consumers.

Utah is not the sole state that is contemplating legislation regarding age verification; it is the first to implement such legislation.

The new law, known as the App Store Accountability Act, was enacted by the Utah legislature earlier this month and is now on its way to Gov. Spencer Cox’s desk for the necessary signature to become official.

Apple announced a new set of child safety initiatives for its App Store prior to the law’s passage.

These initiatives include an age-checking system for applications. Its implementation would enable app developers to access age range information provided by the parent by utilizing a new Declared Age Range API.

This information does not grant the app developer access to the minor’s precise age or DOB; however, it enables them to tailor their app experiences to the age range specified.

Apple’s system necessitates that the age range be requested by the app developers prior to the app’s use, rather than the App Store verifying the age at the time of installation.

It is unsurprising that social media companies are overjoyed about the new Utah law, which mandates that app stores authenticate the age of users before allowing them to download apps onto their devices.

In a joint statement, Meta, X, and Snap commended Utah’s initiative, stating, “We commend Governor Cox and the State of Utah for being the first in the nation to provide parents and users with greater control over teen app downloads. We encourage other states to consider this innovative approach.”

Utah has been a pioneer in the centralization of this function within a device’s app store, as parents desire a centralized location to supervise and authorize the numerous applications their teenagers wish to download.

This method prevents users from submitting their personal information to an infinite number of individual applications and online services on a regular basis. We are dedicated to the protection of parents and adolescents and anticipate the adoption of this paradigm by additional states.

In total, 16 U.S. states, including California and Texas, have implemented their own variations of app store legislation that prioritize juvenile safety and age verification.