Bill > H3405

This bill establishes the App Store Accountability Act in South Carolina, which aims to protect minors from inappropriate digital content and unauthorized in-app purchases. The legislation requires app store providers to verify users' ages, obtain verifiable parental consent before minors can download or purchase apps, and provide clear age ratings and content descriptions. Beginning January 1, 2026, app stores must use commercially available methods to determine users' age categories (ranging from child to legal adult) and implement mechanisms for parents to block unsuitable apps and control their children's app usage. Developers must also collaborate by using app store providers' age verification interfaces, offering time restriction features, and prominently displaying age ratings and content descriptions. The Department of Consumer Affairs will establish an advisory committee to improve app rating transparency, and the Attorney General will enforce the law with potential fines up to $2,500 per violation, with the possibility of doubled penalties for knowingly or repeatedly violating the act. Parents whose children are negatively impacted by violations can also bring civil actions to seek damages and legal relief. The bill emphasizes protecting minors while ensuring adults maintain unrestricted access to digital content.

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https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3405&session=126&summary=B