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Google has accused Meta and other social media companies of pushing legislative proposals that shift the burden of child safety onto app stores rather than addressing platform-specific risks. In a blog post published on March 12, Google argued that such laws introduce privacy risks for minors while failing to tackle the root causes of online harm.
Utah’s Age-Verification Law Sparks Debate
The controversy follows Utah’s recent legislation, which makes it the first US state to require app stores like Google Play and Apple App Store to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors before allowing app downloads. While Meta, Snap, and X praised Utah’s new law, Google has criticized it as “concerning”, claiming it shifts responsibility away from social media platforms and places unnecessary burdens on app store operators.
Google’s Criticism and Alternative Proposal
Google’s Public Policy Director, Kareem Ghanem, argued that age verification should not be the sole responsibility of app stores. Instead, Google proposed an alternative legislative framework where only certain app developers those offering potentially risky content would be required to implement age verification measures. This approach, Google claims, would prevent excessive data collection from children and their parents while still ensuring appropriate safeguards.
Privacy Concerns Raised by Apple
Apple has also expressed concerns about excessive data collection, highlighting that many US children do not have government-issued IDs. This means parents may have to submit additional sensitive documents just to allow their children to use basic apps. Apple argues that this poses a greater privacy risk rather than enhancing child safety. Check Latest Apple news here
Meta’s Response to Google’s Claims
Meta spokesperson Jamie Radice welcomed Google’s willingness to share age information with developers but questioned how Google would determine which apps should receive such data. She reaffirmed Meta’s stance that parents should have the final say over children’s app access. According to Meta, app stores should be required to obtain parental consent before allowing minors to download apps, ensuring that families, not companies, make these decisions.
The Challenge of Age Verification
The issue of age verification remains complex, with no universal solution in place. Utah’s law does not specify a clear process for ensuring accuracy, only requiring app store operators to use “commercially available methods that are reasonably designed to ensure accuracy.” As more US states consider similar laws, the debate over whether social media companies or app stores should be responsible for child safety continues to in…
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