Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has reportedly reached out to Texas Governor Greg Abbott to discuss changes or a potential veto of a new law that requires the company to verify the ages of device users, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Governor Abbott has not yet signed the bill into law. Meanwhile, Apple, along with Google, is collaborating with advocacy groups to oppose this legislation. Apple specifically claims that enforcing the Texas law could jeopardize user privacy.
The proposed law stipulates that if a minor uses a device, their App Store account must be linked to their parents’ account. This would enable parents to be alerted about their children’s app downloads and to approve or deny them.
“If enacted, app marketplaces will be required to collect and keep sensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app, even if it’s an app that simply provides weather updates or sports scores,” an Apple spokesperson shared with the WSJ (Wall Street Journal).
Supporters of the bill argue that it will empower parents to have more control over how their children interact with smartphones.
At least nine other states are considering similar laws. Last year, Apple successfully prevented a bill from passing in Louisiana, but the state is now reconsidering it.
