Sponsors (3)
The bill creates a federal system of OS-level age verification and FTC-backed rules that can better protect minors and help developers comply, at the cost of collecting sensitive DOB data, adding compliance and privacy risks, and imposing costs and legal burdens on smaller tech firms.
Children and parents: OS-level parental verification and verified age data reduce minors' exposure to age-restricted apps/content and give parents stronger tools to manage device and app use.
All consumers (especially families): Establishing standardized data-protection rules for collected dates of birth limits misuse of sensitive age data and can reduce identity and privacy risks if followed.
App developers and small tech businesses: Access to OS-verified age information (under regulated sharing) streamlines compliance with age-restricted features and legal obligations, simplifying product design and moderation.
All device users (especially minors): Mandatory collection and storage of dates of birth creates new sensitive data stores that increase the risk of breaches, secondary use, or re-identification of age data.
Operating system providers and downstream users: Building verification systems and implementing secure data-sharing and FTC-compliance requirements will impose substantial compliance costs that may be passed to consumers or disadvantage smaller firms.
Small OS vendors and developers: Aggressive FTC oversight and civil penalties create legal and enforcement risk for smaller or resource-constrained companies that may struggle to understand or meet new rules.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires OS providers to collect users' birthdates, verify parental consent for under-18s, enable developer access to age data, and directs FTC rulemaking and enforcement.
Introduced April 13, 2026 by Josh S. Gottheimer · Last progress April 13, 2026
Requires operating system providers to collect each user's date of birth to set up or use an operating system, verify parental or legal guardian consent for users under 18, and create a mechanism for app developers to access necessary age-verification information. Gives providers a liability safe harbor if they follow these rules and makes violations unfair or deceptive acts enforceable under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Directs the FTC to write implementing regulations within 180 days covering parental verification methods, shared-device handling, data-protection standards for collected dates of birth, developer access consistent with data protection, and parental controls; to brief Congress within 180 days; and to report on compliance and legislative recommendations within 18 months. The rules and the section take effect one year after enactment.