Bill > S1586

This bill, known as the App Store Accountability Act, aims to protect children online by establishing comprehensive requirements for app stores and app developers regarding age verification, parental consent, and data protection. The bill defines specific age categories (young child, child, teenager, and adult) and mandates that app stores must verify users' ages when accounts are created, requiring minors to have a linked parental account with verified parental consent before downloading or purchasing apps. App developers must also verify age categories, notify app stores of significant changes to their apps, and obtain parental consent for certain actions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will be responsible for creating guidance, establishing a compliance certification mechanism, and enforcing the law, with state attorneys general also empowered to take legal action. The bill provides a "safe harbor" for app developers who act in good faith and follow the prescribed guidelines, and it preempts state laws related to its provisions. Importantly, the act seeks to give parents more transparency and control over their children's app usage by requiring clear disclosures about data collection, sharing, and app content, with the ultimate goal of creating a safer digital environment for minors.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1586/all-info