Meta pushes for app stores to handle age verification
The social network launched an intense lobbying campaign in the US and Europe
The move may seem paradoxical. In recent weeks, Meta has launched a major public campaign calling on Europe to implement “regulations requiring age verification and parental consent” on mobile app stores. Yet the parent company of Facebook and Instagram is usually strongly opposed to any regulatory efforts in Brussels.
And it also stands to lose a lot from such a measure: it would become significantly harder for teenagers under 13 (or even older, depending on local laws) to use its two social networks. But this scenario would actually be the lesser evil for the company: it would allow Meta to avoid bearing the legal responsibility of verifying users’ ages itself — and to avoid sanctions in case of non-compliance.
Social networks banned for teens
After years of laissez-faire, Meta is now well aware that regulators are determined to combat the harmful effects of social media platforms on children and adolescents. Officially, these platforms do not allow users under 13 to sign up. In practice, however, all it takes is entering a fake birthdate. In France, 63% of children under 13 have at least one account, according to a CNIL survey.
In Australia, a law banning social networks for users under 16 was passed in November and is set to come into effect by the end of the year. Regulatory proposals are also underway in the US. France has also announced its intention to legislate. Moreover, the European Union’s Digital Services Act requires social networks to implement measures to protect minors from the risk of addiction.
Two opposing visions are clashing over how age should be verified. Meta believes that age checks would be more effective if carried out at the app store level, where verification would only need to happen once. Users would then be either permitted or blocked from downloading certain apps. The company led by Mark Zuckerberg can count on the support of its rivals, such as Snapchat and X (formerly Twitter), as well as child protection organizations.
Intense lobbying campaign
On the other side, Apple and Google argue that the responsibility should lie with each app developer. The two tech giants, who operate the major app stores, cite concerns over privacy risks. In both camps, no company wants to shoulder the costs of implementing an age verification system — let alone expose themselves to potential fines or lawsuits.
Aware of the threat, Meta has been conducting an intense lobbying campaign. Launched at the end of 2023, it has intensified significantly in recent months, starting in the US. With success. In April, Utah became the first state to require age checks at the app store level. Last week, Texas followed suit, despite a phone call from Apple CEO Tim Cook to its governor. Several other states are discussing similar legislation. Meta is also very active in Washington, seeking to secure a federal law.
In Europe, however, the company has a longer road ahead. Just last month, Clara Chappaz, the French digital minister, explained that under the proposed European regulation she is advocating, social networks would be responsible for carrying out age verification themselves.