Apple CEO Tim Cook has personally called Texas Governor Greg Abbott to lobby against a new online child safety bill that would require app stores like Apple and Google to verify users’ ages and get parental permission before downloads. The bill, which has already passed the state legislature with a veto-proof majority, claims it would threaten user privacy and data collection.
Cook asked Abbott to make changes or veto the bill entirely, citing concerns over invasive data collection that would jeopardize user privacy. Apple has also funded an interest group to run ads claiming the bill is backed by porn websites in an attempt to undermine its passage.
The bill is part of a growing trend of states passing app store accountability laws to regulate online content. Utah passed similar legislation earlier this year, and at least nine other states are considering their own versions. However, Big Tech firms like Apple have expressed concerns over the potential impact on user privacy and data collection.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/05/23/business/apples-tim-cook-called-texas-gov-greg-abbott-to-lobby-against-online-child-safety-bill