California enacts its own internet age law

The law stipulates that device operating systems and app stores require users to enter their age or date of birth when setting up a new phone or computer. The new rules are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, and for devices set up before that date, the operating system provider – such as Apple or Google – must come up with a way for users to enter their age by July 1 of that year. Negligent violations of the law can cost these companies up to $2,500 per child affected, and willful violations can reach $7,500 per child. The law still protects companies from liability for “false” age indications as long as they make a good faith effort to comply.

“We have seen some truly horrific and tragic examples of young people harmed by unregulated technology, and we will not stand idly by while companies continue without the necessary boundaries and accountability,” Newsom added. He said in a statement Upon signing the bill, along with a host of other legislation related to children’s online safety, including a requirement Add warning labels to social media. “We can continue to lead in AI and technology, but we must do so responsibly – protecting our children every step of the way. Our children’s safety is not for sale.”

The new rules in California are the latest in a wave of new rules Age security laws Sweeping the country. Utah became the first state To pass the App Store age verification law, next Texas and Louisiana. Meta has notably broken away from its tech peers to support such bills, putting the onus on the app stores run by Apple and Google, rather than developers like itself. But they were initially pushed back by advocates for parents who did Become some leading voices In passing a set of child safety laws in the United States.

AB 1043 has received support not only from Meta, but also from Google, which will likely be regulated under the law. Karim Ghanem, Google’s senior director of government affairs and public policy, described the move as “one of the most thoughtful approaches we’ve seen yet to address the challenges of keeping kids safe, while recognizing that it’s a shared responsibility across the ecosystem.” Included in a press release By the Democratic Assemblywoman who led the bill, Buffy Weeks.

Unlike some other laws, California’s measure does not require parental consent to download the app. It also does not force users to upload sensitive documents such as government ID cards, which has caused an uproar in the UK about Implementing the Online Safety Act (OSA).

But the bill still lacks some support from key stakeholders. Apple did not support the bill as much as its peers, and the Motion Picture Association (MPA), which advocates for the film and television industry, urged lawmakers to reject the bill. according to POLITICObecause it may create confusion between streaming accounts as parents and children have different profiles. Weeks said POLITICO It will improve outstanding concerns about the bill next year.