Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly made a personal call to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in a last-minute effort to block a new child safety law that would require app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent before allowing minors to download apps. The law has seen strong support in the Texas legislature, and Cook's unusual move signals Apple’s growing concern that stricter regulations like this could threaten its control over app distribution and force the company to collect more user data.
Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly reached out to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, urging him to amend or veto the online child safety bill. Sources described the conversation as respectful, emphasizing that Cook wanted to convey how strongly Apple opposes the legislation personally. Despite the outreach, Abbott has not indicated whether he will sign the bill, which has already cleared the state legislature with enough support to override a veto.
The bill would mandate that Apple, Google, and other app store providers confirm users’ ages and require minors to get parental approval before downloading apps. Apple argues the law would force overly intrusive data collection and put user privacy at risk.
“If enacted, app marketplaces will be required to collect and keep sensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app, even if it’s an app that simply provides weather updates or sports scores,” an Apple spokesperson said in a statement. “We believe there are better proposals that help keep kids safe without requiring millions of people to turn over their personal information.”
In recent weeks, Apple intensified its lobbying efforts to influence lawmakers as the legislation progressed through the Texas legislature, but these attempts ultimately failed.
If passed, Texas would be the largest state to implement such a law.
