• Tim Cook personally called Texas Governor Greg Abbott to oppose age verification legislation for app stores.
  • The bill would shift responsibility for age checks from developers to platforms like Apple’s App Store.
  • Apple has intensified lobbying efforts as similar laws gain traction in multiple states.

Apple Pushes Back on App Store Age Verification Rules

Apple CEO Tim Cook directly contacted Texas Governor Greg Abbott to lobby against a proposed child safety bill that would require app stores to verify users’ ages, according to people familiar with the matter. The legislation, which is part of a broader national push to strengthen online protections for minors, would place the burden of age verification on platforms like Apple’s App Store and Google Play rather than individual app developers.

The call underscores Apple’s heightened efforts to counter state-level regulations that could impose new compliance costs and operational challenges. If enacted, the Texas bill would mandate that app stores implement age-gating mechanisms by 2026, a move that could set a precedent for other states.

Industry Lobbying Battle Intensifies

The debate has sparked a fierce lobbying battle between tech giants. While Apple and Google argue that age verification should remain the responsibility of app developers, companies like Meta—which owns Facebook and Instagram—have pushed for platforms to shoulder the obligation. Meta has reportedly spent millions advocating for similar measures in other states, including Utah, which passed its own age verification law earlier this year.

Privacy advocates and civil rights groups have raised concerns about the potential risks of widespread age checks, including increased data collection and barriers to access. Meanwhile, bipartisan support for child safety measures continues to grow, with lawmakers in multiple states advancing legislation aimed at holding tech companies more accountable.

Broader Implications for Tech Regulation

If Texas and other states succeed in passing these laws, Apple and other platform operators may face significant operational overhauls. The outcome could also influence federal efforts to establish nationwide standards for online child protection. Analysts suggest that the battle over age verification could reshape digital marketplace dynamics, with long-term implications for how tech companies navigate regulatory scrutiny worldwide.

Apple declined to comment on Cook’s call with Abbott, and the governor’s office did not respond to requests for clarification.