Overview
New laws in four US states will soon impose substantial obligations for companies that host app stores or develop mobile apps by requiring them to verify user ages and implement safeguards for minors. Texas’s App Store Accountability Act was scheduled to take effect January 1, 2026, but remains blocked due to ongoing legal challenges. Similar laws in California, Louisiana and Utah are set to take effect in 2026 and 2027
What does this mean for your business? McDermott Will & Schulte’s Data, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Group provided an overview of these emerging app store accountability acts, the practical implications, and actionable strategies for meeting these new regulatory demands.
Discussion topics included:
- Prohibited conduct and enforcement updates under each state’s law
- Key requirements for app stores, including age verification methods, parental consent obligations, and data protection standards
- Developer responsibilities for age ratings, consent verification, and implementing age-appropriate safety features
- How these age verification laws may trigger “actual knowledge” obligations under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and require companies to implement application programming interface processes and enhanced data protections
- Practical steps companies should take to prepare for compliance