Apple CEO Tim Cook has stepped into Texas politics, reportedly making a personal appeal to Gov. Greg Abbott in a behind-the-scenes effort to derail a child safety bill that would overhaul how app stores handle minors’ accounts.
The legislation, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, would make Texas the largest state to adopt a law requiring app stores to verify the age of device users and tie minors’ app access to parental approval.
According to a May 23 report from The Wall Street Journal, Cook called Abbott to urge him to either alter or veto the bill. The conversation, described as cordial, revealed the tech giant’s strong opposition to the measure, which passed the legislature with bipartisan support.
Cook’s call came amid a broader push by Apple to soften or stop the bill. The company ramped up its lobbying efforts in Austin, hiring additional lobbyists and funding targeted ad campaigns.
Proponents argue the bill gives parents greater control over their children’s digital activity, while critics warn it could impose burdensome requirements on app marketplaces and raise privacy concerns.
The stakes are high — not just for families, but for tech giants. If signed into law, the Texas bill would be the most expansive of its kind in the US, with potential to ripple across other states. Similar laws have been introduced in at least nine states and passed in Utah, according to WSJ.
Federal lawmakers have also begun exploring national standards. Meanwhile, Apple’s business model, which relies heavily on its App Store ecosystem, could face new regulatory pressure.
Texas State Sen. Angela Paxton, who authored the bill and is a Republican, sees the legislation as a long-overdue correction.
“The more we can help parents understand what their children are really interacting with and give them tools to help them make good parenting decisions, then I think we’re all better off,” she told WSJ.
Abbott has yet to publicly declare his position, but his office said the legislation would be “thoughtfully reviewed,” emphasizing that “safety and online privacy for Texas children remains a priority.”