Apple has announced a set of privacy-focused measures to comply with Texas Senate Bill 2420 (SB2420), a new state law taking effect on January 1, 2026. The law introduces age assurance requirements for app marketplaces and developers, mandating that all users verify their age before downloading any app. While Apple supports the goal of improving online safety for children, it cautioned that SB2420 risks undermining privacy by forcing the collection of sensitive personal data for all users, even for basic apps like weather or sports.
To meet these new legal requirements, Apple will introduce age verification and parental consent flows for users located in Texas. Anyone creating a new Apple ID in the state will need to confirm whether they are 18 or older. Users under 18 will automatically join a Family Sharing group, and their parents or guardians will be required to approve all App Store downloads, purchases, and in-app transactions. These rules will also extend to developers, who must update their apps to handle new age verification and consent mechanisms. Similar laws will follow in Utah and Louisiana later in 2026.
To support developers while maintaining user privacy, Apple is rolling out new system-level APIs. The Declared Age Range API, already available for implementation, lets developers identify user age categories without directly collecting personal data. Apple will enhance this API in the coming months to include the required age categories for Texas users.
Later this year, Apple will also launch additional APIs that allow apps to request renewed parental consent when significant changes are made. Parents will gain the ability to revoke app access for minors at any time. More technical documentation and developer resources will be published this fall to ensure compliance ahead of the 2026 deadline.
Apple reiterated its long-term commitment to child safety and user privacy, pointing to existing features like Screen Time, Ask to Buy, and App Limits as examples of how it balances protection and privacy. By introducing these new tools, Apple aims to comply with state laws such as SB2420 while preserving the user-first principles that define its ecosystem.
