Apple updates App Store policies to comply with Texas age verification law starting 2026

Apple is implementing changes to its App Store policies and developer tools to comply with Texas’s new App Store Accountability Act (SB2420), effective January 1, 2026. The law mandates age verification requirements for users creating new Apple Accounts in Texas, requiring them to confirm if they are 18 or older. Minors must join Family Sharing groups so parents or guardians can provide consent for all app downloads, purchases, and usage. Apple expresses concerns that the law threatens user privacy by requiring sensitive personal information even to download simple apps. To address this, Apple is introducing new APIs, including an updated Declared Age Range API and other tools to allow developers to request renewed parental consent when significant app changes occur. Parents will also have the ability to revoke consent for minor users. Apple supports child safety but warns that the law forces collection of extensive personal data. The changes aim to meet legal requirements while preserving privacy and keeping parental controls intact.