Apple CEO Tim Cook made headlines last week when he personally called Texas Governor Greg Abbott. He was hoping to talk about a newly enacted child safety law that requires devices’ owners to verify users’ ages. The legislation has already generated significant controversy because of its potential effects on app marketplaces and user privacy. Cook’s abolitionist approach poses a serious risk to the idea of child safety and consumer right to choose.
The law requires technology companies such as Apple to check the ages of users before permitting them access to download apps. This requirement has the potential to profoundly alter the landscape of app stores. It’ll force them to collect and store sensitive PI about every Texan who would love to download apps. The urgency of Cook’s call comes as the debate over one of these bills grows increasingly concerned over the unintended consequences such legislation would bring.
An Apple spokesperson, in an article published by The Wall Street Journal, expressed concerns about the bill, stating, “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.” This announcement further highlights the concern over how users’ privacy and user-facing regulations could be implemented.
The report detailing Cook’s conversation with Abbott emerged from The Wall Street Journal’s article titled “Tim Cook called Texas governor to stop online child safety legislation,” which was published at 11 PM PDT on May 23, 2025. Although Abbott has not yet signed the bill into law, Cook’s proactive steps indicate Apple’s commitment to addressing the potential fallout from such regulations.
Dominic-Madori Davis is a senior venture capital and startup reporter for TechCrunch, based in New York City. She noted that Texas wasn’t the only state considering controversial legislation like this. At least nine other states are pursuing comparable legislation to improve child safety in the online environment. The movement is indicative of a larger, more powerful blue wave sweeping the nation. Lawmakers are putting pressure on tech companies to protect minors in digital spaces like never before.
The impact of this legislation goes well beyond Texas. One, it would open the door for other states to follow suit and pass similar legislation. The technology sector is understandably glued to these developments. Industry is already making great strides in addressing the challenges inherent in compliance and doing their utmost to safeguard users’ data.
