App Store Accountability Act

The App Store Accountability Act requires major app stores (with over 5 million US users) to implement age verification systems and obtain parental consent for minors' app downloads and purchases to protect children from "covered content" like explicit sexual material, graphic violence, or social forums with minors. It creates a private right of action allowing parents to sue app stores if their minor child is exposed to covered content, unless the app store has implemented specific parental controls. The bill provides a "safe harbor" for app stores that meet requirements including verifying user ages, displaying clear age ratings for apps, obtaining verifiable parental consent for downloads and purchases, and ensuring developers follow similar protections. App stores must also provide parents with tools to set usage limits and block inappropriate content. The Act takes effect one year after enactment.