Bill · H.R. 3149· House(119-HR-3149)
App Store Accountability Act
- Introduced
- 5/1/2025
- Last activity
- 12/11/2025 — Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Sponsored by
- John James
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The App Store Accountability Act aims to protect children by ensuring they have access to appropriate digital content. It requires covered app store providers to verify user ages and establish parental accounts for minors. These providers must obtain verifiable parental consent before a minor can download or purchase apps. App developers are also obligated to verify user ages and notify app stores of any significant changes to their software. The Federal Trade Commission and State Attorneys General are granted enforcement powers to ensure compliance. This Act becomes effective one year after its enactment.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would children be better off under this?+8
The act provides significant protections and parental oversight for children using digital apps.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+7
The act strengthens data privacy for minors by requiring parental consent and limiting data collection.
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+7
The act provides stronger privacy protections for the age-related data of minors.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-4
The act imposes new administrative and compliance burdens on app developers and store providers.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-2
The preemption clause restricts the ability of states to maintain their own relevant laws.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency for Parents: Parents will receive clear and accurate information regarding the personal data an app collects and how it is shared before they give consent (Section 2, Definition 15).
-
Enhanced Content Safety: App stores must display age ratings and content descriptions in plain and concise language, helping parents make informed decisions (Section 3, Subsection a-7).
-
Control Over App Changes: If an app developer makes a "significant change"—such as adding new in-app purchases or changing data collection—the app store must notify the parent and obtain new consent (Section 3, Subsection a-3).
-
Data Privacy Protections: App store providers are required to protect the confidentiality of age verification data by limiting collection to what is strictly necessary and using reasonable safeguards (Section 3, Subsection a-6).
-
Accountability for Developers: Developers are prohibited from knowingly misrepresenting information in parental consent disclosures (Section 4, Subsection d-2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Administrative Burden for App Stores: Covered app store providers must implement complex age verification processes, manage parental accounts, and handle notification requirements for significant changes (Section s 3 and 4).
-
Restrictions on Developer Autices: App developers are prohibited from enforcing terms of service against a minor unless they have verified parental consent through an app store (Section 4, Subsection d-1).
-
Data Sharing Limitations: App developers are restricted from sharing age category data with unaffiliated third parties that are not service providers or processors (Section 4, Subsection d-3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+7Increases Big Tech Regulation+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+7Increases Federal Power+3Increase States Rights-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+8Good For Business Owners-4
- 12/11/2025
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 12/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/1/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Gus BilirakisRepublican · Florida
Erin HouchinRepublican · Indiana