Texas just passed the App Store law that Tim Cook personally tried to stop

After a heavy lobbying campaign that included Apple CEO Tim Cook personally calling Texas Governor Greg Abbott to veto Texas Senate Bill 2420, known as the App Store Accountability Act, the bill was signed into law today.

Seven months to comply

Now, companies like Apple and Google have until January 1, 2026, to implement changes requiring them to verify the age of all app store users, and obtain parental consent before minors can download most apps or make in-app purchases.

The law mirrors similar legislation already in effect in Utah, and represents a growing trend of state-level efforts to regulate kids’ access to online services. It also marks a victory for Meta, which has been waging its own fights against bills that target social media platforms directly, and has aggressively supported efforts that instead shift responsibility to app storefronts.

Tim Cook tried to intervene

The bill was significant enough that Cook reportedly picked up the phone himself in an attempt to stop it, according to The Wall Street Journal. Apple has argued that while it supports child safety efforts, this law does more harm than good by forcing platforms to collect and store sensitive personal information from all users, not just children.

In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple said:

“We share the goal of strengthening kids’ online safety but are deeply concerned that SB2420 threatens the privacy of all users, as it requires app marketplaces to collect and keep sensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app, even if it’s an app that simply provides weather updates or sports scores. We believe there are better proposals that help keep kids safe without requiring millions of people to turn over their personal information.”

But lawmakers in Texas, like State Senator Angela Paxton, who authored the bill, disagree:

“This puts tools in the hands of parents to make decisions for their own children.”

Unless companies like Apple and Google try to get the law blocked in court, SB 2420 will become enforceable at the start of next year. That gives Apple yet another ticking clock to figure out how to comply, whether it likes it or not.