Senators Lee and James Introduce Game-Changing App Store Accountability Act to Protect Children

App Store Accountability Act: A New Era for Child Safety

In a significant move towards enhancing child safety online, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representative John James (R-MI) introduced the App Store Accountability Act on May 1, 2025. This bipartisan legislation aims to ensure that parental oversight is strengthened, thereby better protecting children from the various exploitation risks posed by the digital world.

In a letter applauding the legislation, over 100 child advocacy organizations voiced their support, acknowledging the critical need for accountability in app stores. These organizations stressed that app stores function as the primary gateways to the digital realm and lamented how little accountability has existed historically, allowing children to access apps without robust parental knowledge or control.

The importance of this legislation cannot be overstated. As the letter notes, “For too long, app stores have operated as gatekeepers to the digital world with little accountability.” It highlights that children have often been left in potentially precarious situations where they can easily download apps and agree to complex contracts that compromise their personal data - be it their photos, contacts, or even their exact locations. This lack of transparency and oversight is alarming, especially considering the sensitive nature of the data being accessed.

A recent national poll conducted by the Digital Childhood Alliance (DCA) revealed that a significant majority of parents, 88%, want app stores to require parental approval before minors can download new apps. This sentiment reflects a growing demand for enhanced safety measures and the necessity for consent before children under the age of 18 can agree to an app's terms of service.

Furthermore, the same poll indicated that 76% of parents support the establishment of an independent organization tasked with evaluating and assigning age ratings to apps. This illustrates a broad, bipartisan call for measures that would provide greater security for children navigating the complexities of the digital landscape.

Melissa McKay, chair of the Digital Childhood Alliance, emphasized the need for actionable changes in the industry. She stated, “App stores serve as the primary digital entry point for children, yet the companies that operate App Stores have done little to establish meaningful safeguards for minors.” The App Store Accountability Act proposes clear policies that require parental consent before children can agree to an app’s terms, thereby reinforcing protective measures against potential exploitation by powerful tech entities.

Dawn Hawkins of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) praised the initiative, recognizing the leadership demonstrated by lawmakers in prioritizing child safety over corporate interests. She remarked, “Their bipartisan work on the App Store Accountability Act acknowledges what families across America know—the status quo is failing kids.”

The introduction of this act comes amid a wave of momentum, with several states, including Utah, having already passed their versions of the App Store Accountability Act. States such as Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, and South Carolina are currently considering similar legislative measures, showcasing a growing trend towards prioritizing child safety in digital environments.

With widespread public support for legislation aimed at enhancing online safety for children, advocates are actively pushing for Congress to take swift action on the App Store Accountability Act. As awareness of the vulnerabilities children face online continues to grow, the time for action is now.

This movement signifies a crucial step in safeguarding the next generation, ensuring that their interaction with technology is both safe and responsible. By reinforcing parental controls and holding app developers accountable, the App Store Accountability Act seeks to create a safer digital ecosystem for children to thrive in.