Summary
The App Store Accountability Act holds app stores and app developers accountable for the products they release to minors. It requires users younger than 18 to verify their age and receive parental consent to access adult content through the apps. Parents must verify their consent from an affiliated parent account, thereby linking parents’ accounts with their children’s. A violation of this Act is a violation of section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, and violators are subject to the penalties as well as immunities and privileges provided therein. If the Attorney General of a state believes residents are threatened or adversely affected by the use of a practice that violates a provision of this Act, any state, as parens patriae, may seek civil action on behalf of its residents in a district court.
Goals
- Keep parents informed about the content their children are consuming.
- Protect children from harmful content.
- Preserve child innocence.
- Hold app developers accountable for the obscene content they allow children to view on their platforms.
Analysis
The App Store Accountability Act is necessary for protecting modern children. Too often, parents have no opportunity to prevent their children from inadvertently accessing obscene material. The App Store Accountability Act will remedy this, ensuring that parents are informed of their children’s app usage and providing support from app developers in this regard.