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Senate committee advances bill to require parental approval for app downloads
Summary
A Senate committee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 161, the App Store Accountability Act, which would require app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent before minors download apps; testimony split between child-protection advocates, an industry representative, and a lone opponent who called the law unnecessary.
A Senate committee voted unanimously to give House Bill 161 a favorable report after supporters said the bill would restore parental control over app downloads and opponents warned it duplicates existing platform tools.
Representative Sales introduced HB 161 as a child-protection measure that would require app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain verifiable parental consent before apps may be downloaded to accounts associated with minors. The sponsor said the measure also would require accurate age ratings and truthful descriptions so parents can make informed choices.
Supporters framed the measure as a straightforward way to close gaps they said have exposed children to harmful content. "Did you know that 96% of 14-year-olds own a smartphone?" said Becky Garrettson, executive director of Eagle Forum of Alabama. Garrettson said the bill would require verifiable parental consent, a standard…
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