Parents Over Platforms Act – HR 6333

This bill places several responsibilities on app stores, including ascertaining the age category of users, and allows parents of minors to approve downloading or using apps. App stores are also responsible for providing certain capabilities and information to developers pertaining to age information, access to certain apps, and parental controls. The bill requires app developers to allow or disallow a minor’s download or use of an app, provide information to parents on online safety and privacy settings, use commercially reasonable efforts to determine whether a user is a minor, obtain parental consent prior to allowing a minor to access an app that is deemed unsuitable for minors, among other requirements. It further places certain restrictions on app developers to use or share age information gathered under this bill. The bill provides a safe harbor to app stores and app developers for certain types of actions and non-actions. The bill is enforced by the FTC.