The proposed bill, known as the App Store Accountability Act, aims to enhance the protection of minors in Alaska regarding the use and distribution of mobile applications. Starting January 1, 2026, app store providers will be required to verify the age of individuals downloading or purchasing apps and obtain verifiable parental consent before allowing minors to access various functionalities, including downloading apps and making in-app purchases. The bill outlines specific duties for app store providers, such as providing mechanisms for parents to control app downloads based on age ratings and ensuring that age ratings and content descriptors are clearly displayed. Additionally, developers are mandated to use the app store's programming interface to verify age categories and parental consent, and they must provide features for parents to manage their children's app usage.

The bill also establishes enforcement mechanisms, allowing the Department of Law to impose fines for violations and enabling parents to take legal action against non-compliant app store providers or developers. An app age rating advisory committee will be formed to provide recommendations on improving transparency and consistency in app age ratings, with reports to be made publicly available. The committee will consist of various stakeholders, including parents and app developers, and will operate until December 31, 2027. Overall, the legislation seeks to create a safer digital environment for minors by holding app providers and developers accountable for their practices.

Statutes affected:
HB0046A, AM HB 46, introduced 01/17/2025: 45.50.620, 45.50.690, 45.50.650, 09.17.020, 45.50.660, 45.50.670, 45.48.090