iOS 26.2 Adds APIs for Texas App Store Parental Consent Law

[MacRumors]

Apple today detailed the tools it is providing developers for compliance with the App Store Accountability Act (SB 2420) that goes into effect in Texas in 2026.

Starting on January 1, 2026, Apple users in Texas will need to confirm whether they are 18 years or older when creating an Apple account, and parents will need to provide consent for their children's App Store downloads and in-app transactions. Apple will share user age ranges for developers, and developers will need to have systems for notifying parents about significant app changes and allowing parents to revoke child access to an app at any time.

To help developers meet these requirements, Apple is adding several new APIs in iOS 26.2, and sandbox testing is now available for them.

Declared Age Range

Declared Age Range provides an app with a user's age category rather than a specific age. Categories include under 13, 13-15, 16-17, and over 18. Apple says that the API will also provide developers with a signal from the user's device about the method of age assurance, such as a credit card or government ID.

Significant Change

The Significant Change API prompts parents or guardians to provide consent for a child or teen to continue using an app after a "significant change" is made. Apple says that developers will need to determine when there's a significant change in their apps to comply with the law.

The API will prompt the child or teen to request parental consent, and developers can restrict app access until consent is given.

Changing the age rating of an app is one example of a significant change that would require developers to re-obtain consent.

Consent Revocation

Texas parents and guardians can withdraw consent for any app, which blocks the launch of the app on a child or teen's device. Apple says that the App Store will provide a server notification that developers can configure to receive notifications that consent has been withdrawn from an app.

More information about the changes can be found on Apple's developer site.

Article Link: iOS 26.2 Adds APIs for Texas App Store Parental Consent Law

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

RIP
The Internet as we know it 😢
Soon we will be pretty much forced to identify ourselves just to use the internet on so and so devices. First it’s coming to Texas and then the rest of America once THEY decide it would be ••Good•• for the rest of the country.

 

[WilliApple]

well if I was a Texas kid, imma lie about what state I’m living in

 

[dss33k]

I didn’t think this was a settled law at the Supreme Court.

Apple fights developers to death but never authoritarian governments. Sad!

 

[vantelimus]

well if I was a Texas kid, imma lie about what state I’m living in

Exactly, you'll have to use a VPN to make it appear you live in a free society instead of Texas.

 

[fredtk]

Does it apply to Safari too?

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Absolute tyranny... Apple should show them who's boss and pull out of the Texas market.

 

[bLackjackj]

RIP
The Internet as we know it 😢
Soon we will be pretty much forced to identify ourselves just to use the internet

🙄🤦‍♂️ You do already, Lol…both your home ISP and Mobile provider know exactly who you are.

 

[JohnC1959]

well if I was a Texas kid, imma lie about what state I’m living in

And a VPN helps a lot with that. Or they 'borrow' their parents ID. Kids know how to game the system. When one finds out how they will spread word lightning fast.

 

[phenste]

what a distinctly Orwellian law. fascinated to see how kids find their way around it, as they always do with dumb sh*t like this

 

[burgman]

And a VPN helps a lot with that. Or they 'borrow' their parents ID. Kids know how to game the system. When one finds out how they will spread word lightning fast.

Not being interesting enough to keep tabs is quite different from “sticking it to the man” Thinking there exists a VPN that hasn’t been cracked with tools available, ok. Five eyes country laws prevent capabilities being even discussed
I assume not many read the T&C for Apple Watch 26.2. I haven’t read them for IOS and Mac, assume they’re the same. People living in the UK need to. Rest of us can see the future in that doc.

 

[Kar98]

Do I actually need an Apple account 🤔

 

[ProbablyDylan]

The age gating of the internet continues. At what point do we just blindfold them until they're 18 because the real world is dirty?

 

[Ethosik]

RIP
The Internet as we know it 😢
Soon we will be pretty much forced to identify ourselves just to use the internet on so and so devices. First it’s coming to Texas and then the rest of America once THEY decide it would be ••Good•• for the rest of the country.

Yep. I’m seeing reports now that VPN will be getting banned.

Steam is making some awful decisions too.

 

[jarman92]

Ok but how is Apple confirming age? This is obviously the most important question and there still doesn’t appear to be an answer.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

The age gating of the internet continues. At what point do we just blindfold them until they're 18 because the real world is dirty?

This seems like a silly overreaction to me. Most stores have checked your age before you buy a mature game, movie, or magazine for several decades. Stores and restaurants also check your age before you buy alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or several types of drugs that require prescriptions. How many issues has this caused? Any?

Extending the same concept into digital stores seems perfectly fine to me.

Merchants are obligated to follow KYC (Know Your Customer). This has been the case for decades... they're not really changing much here, other than filling in a small gap for "free" apps.

 

[212rikanmofo]

This is getting stupid. More invasive techniques to invade our privacy. Tired of how they want us to upload government ID's to confirm age. I'm sure it's for "our safety and convenience".