Alabama bill requiring age verification for app downloads sparks debate
Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, sits in a House Child and Senior Advocacy Committee meeting on Feb. 26, 2025. The committee heard support and opposition on his bill, HB 317, that would require app store age verification. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
An Alabama bill requiring app stores to verify users' ages drew debate during a committee hearing last week.
HB 317, sponsored by Chris Sells, R-Greenville, would prohibit a minor from downloading a new app or updating an existing app without parental consent. In order for app stores to know whether someone is a minor, the platforms would have to implement age verification under the legislation.
Supporters of the bill said Wednesday that parents support this regulation. Those who oppose the legislation said it would create a false sense of security, and the law would likely be challenged in court for violating users' privacy.
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'Other age verification methods of the social media sites have all been solved in court,' Justin Hill from NetChoice told the House Child and Senior Advocacy Committee. 'One like this hasn't made it out of the legislature yet, so maybe Alabama can be the first to defend that in court.'
NetChoice advocates for limited internet government control, free speech and enterprise across the country. The group has fought many internet laws nationwide. Hill mentioned laws in Florida and Virginia that created online literacy courses for minors. He said an education-based law, rather than a mandate, would be constitutional.
'And we really need to remember that an unconstitutional law helps no children,' he said.
Nicole Lopez, safety policy director for youth at Meta, said the bill provides parental control. She said a small study conducted on behalf of Meta showed that 80% of parents want app store age verification.
'Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their child's age before they can download apps,' Lopez said. 'HB 317 is the mechanism to achieve just that, with an immediate impact on Alabama families supporting their teens online.'
NetChoice opposed a similar bill that would require age verification for social media accounts on Feb. 19. Meta implemented Instagram Teen Accounts in September that have built-in protections, limiting who can contact them and the content they see, while also providing new ways to safely explore their interests.
Melea Stephens, a family therapist, said she supported the bill because of how she has seen the internet affect her clients.
'As a family therapist, I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of unregulated apps and what they can have on our youth,' she said. 'I've treated several cases of child sextortion and sexual abuse that have arisen through platforms marketed to children where predators exploit the very apps designed to foster connection and entertainment.'
Knox Argo, an attorney based in Montgomery, said he opposed the bill because it is being pushed by Meta.
'We certainly don't want to be the first in the nation to stick our neck out on some new bill that is pushed by a multimillion-dollar corporation,' he said.
Meta is worth $1.7 trillion.
The committee did not vote on the bill. Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, the chair of the committee, said she'd put it on the agenda in a couple weeks.
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