California Advances AB 1043 (Digital Age Assurance Act)

The California State Assembly passed AB 1043, the Digital Age Assurance Act, in a unanimous 58-0 vote. The bill would require operating system and app store providers to verify users’ ages before allowing app downloads. It does not mandate photo ID; instead, platforms must provide tools during device setup for parents or users to indicate age brackets and then transmit a non-identifying age signal to app developers.

Key provisions

• Age verification by OS and app stores (no photo ID required).
• Secure, non-identifying age-bracket signal sent to apps to guide content and features.
• Parental controls and consent mechanisms for users under certain ages.
• Developers must use age signals to provide age-appropriate content and screen-time options.

Reactions

Major tech companies such as Google and Meta issued statements supporting the bill’s approach in recent coverage, describing it as a constructive path to protecting children online while balancing industry responsibilities. Some stakeholders in other states have raised privacy and implementation concerns about age-verification laws.

Next steps & deadline

AB 1043 now moves to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until October 13 to sign or veto the bill.

Sources

• Assemblymember Buffy Wicks press release on AB 1043
• AB 1043 full text (LegiScan)
• Analysis: Age checks and AB 1043 (Daily Journal)

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