Loading...
I think we can all agree that age verification is here to stay, but California seems to be handling it differently than other states, and many say this may be the solution everyone has been looking for all along.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law Assembly Bill 1043, known as the Digital Age Assurance Act, making California the first state to implement a device-level age verification system for phones, tablets, and computers. The law, authored by Democratic Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Under the new framework, users’ ages must be verified at the operating system or app store level when setting up a new device. The legislation covers all major platforms, including Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, and extends to app marketplaces such as the Apple App Store and Google Play.
The measure requires device-makers to design systems allowing parents or users to input age data during setup. Companies will then group users into four age brackets, sharing that information with apps so they can tailor content and restrictions accordingly.
Violations could cost companies up to $2,500 per affected child, and intentional violations may reach $7,500 per child. The law also protects companies from liability for “erroneous age signals” such as false data entered via VPNs or proxy tools, provided they make a good-faith effort to comply.
“Emerging technology like chatbots and social media can inspire, educate, and connect — but without real guardrails, technology can also exploit, mislead, and endanger our kids,” Newsom said in a statement released by his office. “We can continue to lead in AI and technology, but we must do it responsibly — protecting our children every step of the way. Our children’s safety is not for sale.”
AB 1043 marks a rare alignment between state lawmakers and major tech firms, with Google, Meta, OpenAI, and Snap endorsing the bill. The measure was seen as a compromise approach compared to stricter age-verification laws passed in Utah and Texas, which have faced lawsuits and privacy challenges.
Wicks, a Bay Area Democrat, emphasized that her legislation does not require photo ID uploads or parental consent for app downloads, instead relying on a privacy-preserving system at the device level.
“This approach keeps parents in control while reducing data risks and creating a consistent framework for apps,” Wicks said in a statement following the signing.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA), representing Hollywood studios including Netflix and Amazon, lobbied heavily against the measure. Studios argued that device-based checks could confuse families sharing streaming accounts and profiles. Wicks countered that the law does not prevent parents from creating kid-friendly streaming profiles and offered to work with studios on potential follow-up legislation in 2026.
Beyond age verification, the law introduces additional safeguards for minors, including:
California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom praised the package of bills, stating:
“These bills establish guardrails that protect our children’s health and safety while ensuring innovation moves forward responsibly, showing that we can have both at once — always with future generations in mind.”
With support from some of Silicon Valley’s largest companies, California’s new law could become a template for federal or state-level digital safety regulations.
Industry observers note that the device-level model long promoted by adult content companies such as Aylo, parent company of Pornhub, offers a privacy-preserving alternative to government-issued ID scans or biometric checks, which have raised privacy concerns.
As states across the U.S. continue experimenting with online safety and age-verification measures, California’s balanced, tech-friendly approach may set the tone for future legislation nationwide.
© 2025 NSFW.Army. All Rights Reserved
