California Enacts Google-Backed Law for App Stores to Verify Age

Oct. 13, 2025, 2:06 PM UTC

App stores and smartphone operating systems, such as those by Alphabet Inc. and Apple Inc., will have to include age verification technology to better protect children online under legislation California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Monday.

The measure (AB 1043), sponsored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D), goes into effect in 2027 and will require the user to indicate their age when setting up their devices. That process will trigger a signal sent to app developers indicating if the user is a minor.

Other states, such as Utah and Louisiana, enacted similar laws this year as Meta Platforms Inc. ...

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