Bill > SB187

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for app stores and app developers to protect minors online by requiring robust age verification and parental consent mechanisms. The legislation mandates that app store providers must request and verify a user's age when an account is created, and for users determined to be minors, they must link the account to a verified parent account and obtain verifiable parental consent before allowing app downloads, purchases, or in-app transactions. Developers are required to verify age categories and parental consent status through the app store's data sharing methods and are restricted from using age data for purposes beyond safety and compliance. The bill defines specific requirements for parental consent disclosures, which must include details about data collection, sharing practices, age ratings, and content descriptions. If app store providers or developers violate these provisions, the Attorney General can bring an action for deceptive trade practices, with potential civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation and the possibility of punitive damages for consistent misconduct. The law is designed to provide transparency, protect minors' privacy, and give parents more control over their children's digital interactions, with provisions taking effect on October 1, 2026.