Texas Will Require Your ID to Download Weather Apps. Yes, Really.

About this video

• Video Title: Texas Will Require Your ID to Download Weather Apps. Yes, Really.
• Channel: Techlore
• Speakers: [None specified in transcript]
• Duration: 00:14:02

Overview

This video discusses a new Texas law, SB2420, the Texas App Store Accountability Act, which will require age verification using government ID to install apps, starting January 1st, 2026. The video explains the law's implications, concerns raised by tech giants like Apple and Google, the potential privacy risks for both adults and children, and existing alternatives like parental controls. It also highlights similar laws in other states and the possibility of a federal bill, urging viewers to take action against such legislation.

Key takeaways

• New Texas Law: Starting January 1st, 2026, Texas will require users to verify their age with government ID to install any app, including seemingly innocuous ones like weather apps, through the App Store and Google Play Store.
• Privacy Concerns: This law raises significant privacy concerns, as it necessitates the collection and verification of user ages, potentially exposing this sensitive data to app developers, which could lead to misuse, resale, or data breaches.
• Existing Alternatives: The video argues that robust parental controls and device-level restrictions already exist on iOS and Android devices, providing effective ways to protect children without requiring invasive age verification and data collection.
• Real-World Dangers: Examples like the Discord data breach, where leaked IDs of minors were sold to predators, are cited to illustrate the tangible dangers and negative consequences of mandatory age verification laws.
• Call to Action: Viewers are encouraged to contact their representatives in affected states, support organizations like the EFF, educate others about the issue and existing alternatives, and share information to raise awareness before such laws become widespread.