The Warren Sun

Today, Representative John James of Michigan introduced the App Store Accountability Act in Washington, D.C. The proposed legislation aims to enhance safety measures within app stores, giving parents more control over their children's access to digital content.

The bill outlines several key requirements: age verification for App Store ID access, parental consent for users under 18, linking minors' devices to their parents or guardians, displaying app age ratings, and establishing enforcement mechanisms for violations.

Rep. James emphasized the importance of these measures in a statement: “The lack of guardrails on digital app stores defies logic and puts children at risk. There is simply no good reason why app stores should be allowed to circumvent the same lawful ID checks that brick-and-motor stores abide by to protect children from accessing age restricted items, such as alcohol and tobacco. When it comes to protecting children, no one is above the law - including Big Tech.”

As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a father himself, Rep. James has been actively advocating for increased parental empowerment and child protection while holding technology companies accountable.