United States of America: Bill amending Civil Code to include age verification requirements for online services and software applications (AB 1043) was introduced to California Assembly

On 20 February 2025, the Bill amending the Civil Code to include age verification requirements for online services and software applications was introduced to the California Assembly. The Bill applies to developers of software applications and online services, operators of application stores that distribute third-party applications and manufacturers of devices, operating systems, and application stores. It requires them to implement mechanisms for collecting and transmitting age bracket signals based on user-provided age or birth date. Covered application stores must obtain parental consent for users under 16 and transmit confirmation signals to developers. It also requires that developers receiving such signals must, where technically feasible, offer parental control tools such as content management, account linking, and screen time limitations. The Bill also provides that non-compliance may result in civil penalties of up to USD 2,500 per affected child for negligent breaches and USD 7,500 for intentional breaches, enforceable by the Attorney General.