Utah's Senate has recently approved a bill mandating age verification for app stores, while still permitting younger internet users to access content through other means such as web browsers. This legislative move has drawn criticism from the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), which previously submitted comments opposing the App Store Accountability Act. The association raised concerns about privacy issues stemming from companies collecting additional personal information on all internet users to comply with the new requirements.
Megan Stokes, State Policy Director for CCIA, stated: “We support the goal of additional protection online for younger users and support solutions that give parents more options to make decisions on what is appropriate. Legislation like this contradicts measures by both policymakers and companies to protect privacy." She further elaborated that "at a time when the trend is to collect less personal data on users, age verification bills like this require the collection of sensitive information on all internet users to prove compliance."
Stokes highlighted that similar measures have been deemed infeasible or unconstitutional by other courts. She encouraged legislators to collaborate with stakeholders in developing effective approaches that protect younger users while also allowing them access to essential online resources.
