Consumer protection; software applications, age appropriateness, rules established for app developers and app distribution providers, civil penalties established

SB 172, the Access & Responsible Digital Safety Act, requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) to verify user age during account creation and share this information with developers to adjust content for minors. It mandates app stores to provide parents with tools to manage their children’s app access and restrict age-inappropriate content, while developers must ensure age-appropriate experiences and block targeted ads for children. Violations could trigger civil penalties enforced by Alabama’s Attorney General, with limited liability protections for app stores acting in good faith. The bill directly affects app store operators, developers of age-sensitive apps, and parents of minors using connected devices.