California’s Age Verification Bill for App Stores and Operating Systems Heads to Governor Newsom

California’s age verification bill for app stores and operating systems takes another step forward

California is making significant strides in ensuring children’s online safety with its latest legislative effort. The Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), spearheaded by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, has successfully passed the Assembly with a resounding 58-0 vote and is now headed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.

This groundbreaking bill aims to tackle the challenge of age-appropriate content access on digital platforms. AB 1043 places the responsibility on operating system and app store providers to verify user ages before app downloads. Crucially, it doesn’t demand photo identification. Instead, it mandates that platforms offer tools for parents to input their child’s age during device setup. This information would then be used to guide children toward age-appropriate content and manage their screen time effectively.

The California approach stands in contrast to age verification laws recently adopted in Utah and Texas, which have drawn criticism over potential privacy concerns and faced opposition from tech giants like Google and Apple. Interestingly, AB 1043 has garnered a more favorable reception from Big Tech. Companies such as Google and Meta have voiced their support, with Google’s Senior Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Kareem Ghanem, commending it as “one of the most thoughtful approaches we’ve seen thus far to the challenges of keeping kids safe.” This positive sentiment highlights the bill’s collaborative spirit, recognizing online safety as a “shared responsibility across the ecosystem.”

Governor Newsom now has until October 13th to decide whether to sign this pivotal bill into law, a move that could set a new standard for online child safety and privacy.