Apple CEO Tim Cook has personally intervened in an attempt to block the Texas age verification bill SB 2420, which requires app store operators like Apple to verify the age of users accessing their stores. The company has expressed its opposition to the bill, citing concerns over user privacy and arguing that it would lead to the collection and storage of sensitive personal identifying information.
The battle over digital age verification is escalating, with Meta supporting a system where companies are responsible for checking ages, while civil liberties advocates oppose such measures due to significant privacy problems. Cook’s intervention puts him at odds with Governor Greg Abbott, who will review the bill after the CEO’s request.
Apple has instead pushed for the passage of the Kids Online Safety Act, a federal bill that would place liability on web platforms to prevent young users from harm. Google has reportedly backed lobbying against both bills, as it is stuck in the middle due to its ownership of Android and YouTube.
The Texas law is one of several state proposals aimed at strengthening kids’ online safety through age verification measures, with some states requiring app stores to check ages and others banning minors from accessing social media without parental consent.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/internet-censorship/673771/apple-texas-age-verification-law-objection-tim-cook