Utah puts app store age verification on Apple and Google

Utah has enacted a new law that places the responsibility of age verification for app store users directly on Apple and Google. The App Store Accountability Act, which officially goes into effect on May 7, mandates that these tech giants must ensure users meet age requirements before accessing apps.

The legislation is the first of its kind in the United States and is expected to serve as a blueprint for similar measures in at least eight other states. Both Apple and Google have opposed the law, but mounting pressure from lawmakers and social media companies has intensified the debate over who should be responsible for verifying users’ ages.

For years, social media companies like Meta, Snap, and X have faced criticism for their lack of robust age verification measures. Most platforms require users to be at least 13 years old, yet enforcement has been minimal, allowing many underage users to access content without proper safeguards.

In response, Meta has argued that app stores are better positioned to handle age verification, as they act as gatekeepers for app downloads. Mark Zuckerberg has publicly pushed for this shift, and a growing number of state lawmakers seem to agree. Now, Utah is the first state to turn this idea into law, requiring app stores to regulate user access based on age.

Under the new law, individuals in Utah must be at least 18 years old to create an independent app store account. Minors will only be able to access apps if their accounts are linked to a parent or guardian, who must provide explicit consent for each app downloaded.

Tech companies that support the law argue that this approach enhances parental control and eliminates the need for users to repeatedly verify their age across multiple platforms. “We commend Governor Cox and the State of Utah for pioneering this effort to give parents more oversight over teen app usage,” Meta, Snap, and X said in a joint statement. “We encourage other states to adopt similar measures.”

Despite support from social media giants, Apple and Google are likely to challenge the law in court. The companies have long resisted government-imposed regulations on their platforms, citing concerns over user privacy and operational feasibility. Industry analysts predict that legal battles could delay or even block the law’s enforcement, though its passage signals a broader shift in how lawmakers approach online safety for minors.

With several other states preparing to introduce similar legislation, the outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for the future of app store accountability across the U.S.