Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4901

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the regulation of platforms for the sale and distribution of software applications for mobile devices.

Impact

The bill necessitates that any software application developer must establish a process to verify the age of users, particularly for minors, before they can access or make purchases through the app. Developers are also required to maintain minimum data processing concerning personal information and are mandated to delete such data promptly once age verification is completed. This aspect of the bill represents a significant enhancement of user privacy protections and holds software developers accountable for their handling of personal data, specifically reducing misuse regarding minors.

Summary

House Bill 4901 seeks to regulate platforms involved in the sale and distribution of software applications for mobile devices, primarily focusing on ensuring age-appropriate access and protecting minors from inappropriate content. The bill mandates app stores to implement a robust age verification system to determine and categorize users based on their ages, such as children, younger teenagers, older teenagers, and adults. The requirement for app stores to verify users’ ages aims to prevent minors from accessing certain applications without proper consent from their parents or guardians. This verification should leverage commercially reasonable methods for accuracy.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding HB 4901 may include concerns regarding the feasibility and enforcement of the age verification process by app stores and developers. Opponents may argue that the requirements could impose an undue burden on businesses, especially smaller app developers who may lack the resources for such compliance. Moreover, debate may arise over the implications for user privacy, as mandatory data collection for age verification could prompt fears about data security and the potential misuse of personal information. The legislation will need to strike a balance between safeguarding minors and not overly constraining technological innovation.

Companion Bills

TX SB2420

Identical Relating to the regulation of platforms for the sale and distribution of software applications for mobile devices.

Previously Filed As

TX HB18

Relating to the protection of minors from harmful, deceptive, or unfair trade practices in connection with the use of certain digital services and electronic devices, including the use and transfer of electronic devices to students by a public school.

TX HB1181

Relating to the publication or distribution of sexual material harmful to minors on an Internet website; providing a civil penalty.

TX HB1936

Relating to electronic device filters for certain explicit material; creating a criminal offense; providing a civil penalty.

TX SB417

Relating to electronic device filters for certain explicit material; providing a civil penalty.

TX HB4439

Relating to the production, sale, distribution, delivery, and regulation of consumable hemp products; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB3652

Relating to the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, testing, possession, and use of cannabis and cannabis products; authorizing the imposition of taxes and fees; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB4917

Relating to the regulation of third-party data collection entities; providing a civil penalty and authorizing a fee.

TX HB4948

Relating to the regulation of Internet products, services, and features accessed by children; providing a civil penalty.

TX HB4

Relating to the regulation of the collection, use, processing, and treatment of consumers' personal data by certain business entities; imposing a civil penalty.

TX HB1844

Relating to the regulation of the collection, use, processing, and treatment of consumers' personal data by certain business entities; imposing a civil penalty.

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TX HB1297

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TX HB1529

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TX HB1541

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TX HB4912

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