Meta Proposes Centralized Age Verification System for Underage App Users in the US

Meta is advocating for US states to revise legislation that would require the company to verify the age of underage users. Instead of placing the burden on individual apps to determine the age of their users, Meta proposes that age verification should be conducted through app stores and during the initial setup of smartphones.

According to Meta's statement, the introduction of these laws would necessitate parents to grant permission for their teenage children to use certain apps. While laws regarding parental consent for underage users vary from state to state, the requirement for parental permission to use apps is not currently a legal mandate.

Meta, the parent company of popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, proposes that download stores take on the responsibility of age verification. Under this framework, parents would be notified when their teenager attempts to download an app and would need to explicitly grant permission for the download to proceed. Meta suggests that age verification could occur during the initial setup of a smartphone, streamlining the process for both users and app developers.

If the legislative changes that Meta is advocating for were to be enacted, the company would not need to make any additional modifications to its practices in order to comply with the new laws. The primary download stores for mobile apps, namely Apple's App Store and Google Play Store, would likely be responsible for implementing these age verification measures. Utah became the first state to enact such regulations earlier this year, with other states currently in the process of developing similar legislation.

Meta's push for online teen safety legislation underscores the company's commitment to ensuring a safe and secure online environment for its users. By advocating for a centralized approach to age verification, Meta aims to simplify the compliance process for both app developers and users while also reinforcing parental oversight of underage app usage.

As states continue to grapple with the question of how to regulate online activity among teenagers, Meta's proposal for age verification through app stores and smartphone setup could serve as a viable solution that balances the needs of both users and regulators. By promoting a collaborative approach to online safety, Meta is positioning itself as a proactive advocate for responsible digital citizenship and protection of underage users in the online space.