A new bill aiming to protect underage Utahns from harmful content and data collection on digital apps has advanced through the state’s Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee. SB142, also known as the App Store Accountability Act, seeks to enforce age verification for users of popular app stores like Apple’s iTunes and Google’s Play Store.
Senator Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, presented the bill to the committee on Tuesday, comparing app store privacy agreements to car rental contracts—pointing out that most parents would never allow their children to sign binding agreements with a rental company. “We are unknowingly letting our children enter into contracts every day when we allow them to use smartphones with apps that can be easily downloaded,” Weiler said.
The bill, which mirrors a federal proposal from Utah Senator Mike Lee introduced last year, requires digital app stores to categorize users based on their age. Categories include children under 13, younger teens (13-15), older teens (16-17), and adults. If a minor attempts to create an account on an app store, they would need to link their account to a parent’s before downloading apps or making in-app purchases. App developers would also need to comply with age restrictions and ensure that no contracts are entered into with minors without parental consent.
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The bill would grant the Division of Consumer Protection the authority to set standards for age verification, while also giving parents the ability to sue if a violation leads to harm. The legislation aims to strike a balance between protecting minors and maintaining parental control over their children’s online activities.
Support for the bill came from various individuals, including Rachel Williams, a 16-year-old who testified in favor. She explained that her parents monitor her phone usage, and she appreciates the safety it provides. “Unlike other kids, I don’t mind. It keeps me safe,” she said.
However, the bill has its critics. David McGarry, from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, expressed concerns over privacy and constitutional rights, arguing that the bill could infringe on free speech. He claimed that requiring age verification would force minors and adults to submit personal data to access constitutionally protected online speech.
In contrast, Amaya Mueller from the Sutherland Institute argued that the bill empowers parents to protect their children without infringing on freedom of speech. “It simply prevents app stores from giving children unrestricted access to potentially harmful content,” Mueller explained.
Weiler dismissed concerns about the bill’s constitutionality, drawing a comparison to requiring an ID to buy alcohol. “It’s no different than asking for an ID when you buy a six-pack of beer,” he said.
Despite the bill’s progress, many tech industry representatives voiced opposition. Justin Hill from NetChoice, a trade association that has previously challenged Utah’s social media regulations, argued that existing tools already allow parents to monitor their children’s app usage. Caleb Williamson, from the App Association, expressed concerns that the bill could create burdens for small app developers, who would be required to navigate the new regulations.
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This bill is part of a larger legislative effort by Utah lawmakers to address the potential harms posed by social media and digital apps to minors. Over the years, lawmakers have attempted to compel social media platforms to verify users’ ages and activate parental controls. However, large platforms, like Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram), have largely resisted these efforts. In fact, Meta has advocated for app stores to handle the age verification process, which would shift the responsibility away from the platforms themselves.
In an op-ed published earlier this week, Weiler and other supporters of the bill argued that app stores often treat children like adults, forcing them into agreements that grant apps access to sensitive personal data, such as photos, contacts, and even microphone and camera access, all without meaningful parental oversight.
After passing through the committee with unanimous support, SB142 is now set to be reviewed on the Senate floor, with its proponents hoping it will provide a critical step toward safeguarding children in the digital age.
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