Apple’s CEO Tim Cook reportedly contacted Texas Governor Greg Abbott directly, urging him to either revise or reject a new state bill focused on online child safety. The proposed law, which has not yet been signed, would require tech companies like Apple and Google to verify the age of all users before allowing them to download apps.
The law suggests that if minors use a device, their app downloads should be monitored and approved by their parents. That means a minor’s App Store account must be linked to their parents’, allowing them to control which apps are installed.
Apple has voiced strong concerns, warning that the bill could force app stores to collect and store sensitive personal information from every Texas user – even for downloading simple apps like weather or sports updates. The company argues that this could lead to serious privacy risks.
Supporters of the bill believe it gives parents greater control over how children use their devices and access apps. They say the law is designed to protect kids from harmful online content.
While Texas is currently in the spotlight, at least nine other U.S. states are also considering similar laws. Last year, Apple successfully blocked a similar bill in Louisiana, but lawmakers there are now reconsidering.
This growing debate highlights the challenge of balancing child safety with digital privacy. As more states explore such legislation, tech companies are pushing back, raising questions about how far regulation should go in the digital age.
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