Starting this Thursday, June 4th, Apple is implementing age verification for users creating new accounts in Texas. The move follows a federal court's decision to allow Texas' App Store Accountability Act to take effect temporarily.
To verify their age, Texans setting up a new account will need to use either a credit card or government ID. Under-18s must join Family Sharing groups with parental consent for downloads and purchases. Developers are now tasked with ensuring content is appropriate for younger users.
Apple has already announced similar measures in other states like Utah, Louisiana, Brazil, Australia, Singapore, and the UK. Google faces similar requirements for its Play Store. However, a judge previously blocked Texas' Act, only for it to be reinstated by an appeals court until constitutional challenges are resolved.
The legal back-and-forth suggests age verification might soon become standard procedure, adding another layer of complexity to our digital interactions. Will users find it cumbersome or protective? Only time will tell as this tech hurdle rises in prominence.
