Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg called on the US Congress to introduce age verification of users in Apple and Google app stores. About this informs Political.
Meta has been campaigning heavily in Washington, D.C., trying to convince lawmakers to pass regulations that would require Apple and Google to verify the age of users and obtain parental consent before children can access apps.
Last year, Zuckerberg was able to delay the passage of a bill that would have forced Meta to change the interface of Facebook and Instagram to reduce the risks to teenagers. Currently, he is trying to focus the attention of Republicans on the activities of competitors – Apple and Google. According to experts, if successful, it will confirm the strengthening of Zuckerberg’s influence among the Republican majority in Congress.
“They’re doing a very good job of deflecting attention away from any legislation that could hold them accountable.” said Ava Smithing, Director of Advocacy and Operations for the Youth Alliance.
A legislative initiative to verify age in app stores is currently one of the central topics in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is actively considering ways to improve children’s online safety.
“Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their children’s age and approve the apps they download. This can best be done in an app store, and our ad highlights the need for legislation that makes parents responsible for this.”, — the Meta company said in a statement.
