California Governor Signs Age Verification Law for App Stores, Sides with Tech Industry

California Governor Gavin Newsom today signed into law a bill requiring app stores to verify the ages of users, a decision that follows intense lobbying from the technology sector and opposition from Hollywood studios.

The legislation, signed on 2025-10-13, mandates that Apple and Google, the dominant operators of app stores, implement age verification systems during the phone setup process. The law aims to protect children from accessing inappropriate content and requires developers to adhere to age-appropriate guidelines. This move comes as concerns grow regarding children’s online safety and data privacy, prompting increased scrutiny of digital platforms.

The bill’s passage represents a significant win for technology companies, who argued that a standardized age verification process would be more effective and less intrusive than the alternatives proposed by entertainment industry groups. Those groups favored a system that would require more extensive data collection, raising privacy concerns. “This legislation strikes a balance between protecting our children and respecting user privacy,” a statement from the Governor’s office read. The Entertainment Software Association previously voiced concerns that the law could create barriers to accessing legal content. You can learn more about children’s online privacy from the Federal Trade Commission.

Implementation details are still being finalized, but the law is expected to take effect in early 2026. Officials stated that further guidance will be released in the coming months to clarify the technical requirements and ensure a smooth transition for both app developers and users. This law could set a precedent for other states considering similar legislation regarding online age verification.