App Stores Face Age Verification Task in Cleared California Bill

Alphabet Inc. and Apple Inc. would bear age-verification responsibilities for their app stores and operating systems under legislation cleared by the California legislature on Saturday.

The state Assembly approved revisions to the measure (AB 1043) by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D) that would require app stores to check user ages to download apps and make purchases. The Senate earlier passed the measure 38-0 on Friday and it heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), whose office said he doesn’t typically comment on pending legislation.

Utah, Texas, and Louisiana enacted similar laws this year as advocates for children’s online safety are ...