Bill > SB0142

This bill creates the App Store Accountability Act, which establishes comprehensive regulations for app stores and developers in Utah to protect minors online. The legislation requires app store providers to verify users' ages and implement a robust parental consent system, categorizing users into age groups (children, younger teenagers, older teenagers, and adults) and mandating specific processes for minor accounts. App store providers must request age information when users create accounts, verify ages using commercially available methods, and obtain verifiable parental consent before minors can download or purchase apps. Developers are required to use age category data to enforce age-related restrictions and implement safety features, and they are prohibited from sharing age data with third parties. The bill also creates enforcement mechanisms, allowing minors or their parents to bring civil actions against app store providers or developers who violate the law, with potential damages of up to $1,000 per violation. Importantly, the law includes provisions to protect emergency service apps and prevent overly burdensome data collection, while also establishing a "safe harbor" for developers who act in good faith and rely on app store provider data. The law will be implemented in stages, with full enforcement beginning in May 2026, reflecting a careful approach to protecting young users in the digital ecosystem.

Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0142.html