Apple Prepares To Comply With Texas Age Assurance Law, But Warns Of Privacy Risks
Apple prepares to comply with Texas age assurance law, but warns of privacy risks that could affect millions of users across the state. The new Texas law, known as SB 2420, requires app stores and developers to verify users’ ages before allowing them to download apps — a move Apple says could jeopardize user privacy.
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Apple Adjusts To Meet New Texas Requirements
On Thursday, Apple revealed updates designed to meet the Texas age assurance requirements set to take effect soon. The company shared details of these adjustments in a developer announcement, noting that while it supports protecting minors online, the implementation poses serious privacy concerns.
Apple said its systems already include built-in age assurance tools launched earlier this year. However, the tech giant argues that the Texas mandate goes too far, forcing unnecessary data collection.
Apple Warns Of Privacy Trade-Offs
According to Apple, SB 2420 could unintentionally expose users’ sensitive personal information.
“We are concerned that SB2420 impacts the privacy of users by requiring the collection of sensitive, personally identifiable information to download any app — even if a user simply wants to check the weather or sports scores,” Apple explained.
This requirement means users might have to share personal identification details to access even the simplest apps, which Apple believes undermines the privacy standards it’s long championed.
A Growing Patchwork Of State Laws
The Texas age assurance law is part of a growing trend across U.S. states introducing their own digital protection rules for minors. With no comprehensive federal regulation in place, states like Arkansas, Utah, and now Texas are passing unique laws — each with different verification methods.
This patchwork approach has created challenges for major tech companies like Apple, which must now adapt to a mix of privacy, security, and age-verification requirements that vary by state.
Apple’s Balancing Act: Safety Vs. Privacy
Apple’s stance highlights the growing tension between safeguarding children online and maintaining user privacy. While the company agrees that protecting minors is important, it argues that some laws risk overstepping by requiring excessive personal data.
Industry experts note that Apple’s proactive privacy tools, such as parental controls and content filters, already help parents manage app access without compromising user anonymity.
The Bigger Picture For Tech Regulation
The debate surrounding Texas’s age assurance law underscores a broader issue: the lack of unified federal internet safety legislation. Without it, companies face fragmented compliance burdens and users face inconsistent protections depending on their location.
Apple’s public statement serves as both a compliance update and a warning — one that calls on lawmakers to pursue smarter, privacy-first regulation that balances protection with personal freedom.
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