Apple and Google Push for Age-Verification Laws to Avoid Lawsuits
Tech giants Apple and Google are intensifying their lobbying efforts to shape age-verification laws, aiming to limit their exposure to lawsuits. The companies are pushing for legislation that would shift legal responsibility from private lawsuits to state Attorneys General, citing privacy concerns and potential First Amendment infringements for minors.
The App Store Accountability Act (ASAA) is at the center of this debate, requiring app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent. In Arizona, Google is advocating for a bill similar to California’s Digital Age Assurance Act (DAAA), which holds operating system providers like Apple and Google accountable for age verification but shields them from private lawsuits.
Tech industry groups have challenged the ASAA, arguing it restricts minors' First Amendment rights. Meanwhile, child safety activists oppose self-identification methods proposed by Apple and Google, favoring stricter verification processes. Both companies have emphasized their commitment to protecting children online while safeguarding user privacy.
In other news, Russia is turning to electric vehicles (EVs) amid fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian strikes on refineries. Government subsidies and incentives have spurred EV sales, with public charging stations increasing from 1,500 in 2022 to 8,000 this year. EVs now account for 11.5 percent of the Russian car market.