A South Dakota House committee has advanced a bill that would require mobile app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental approval before minors can download apps. The House State Affairs Committee approved HB 1275 on an 8–3 vote, sending it to the full House.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Hughes of Sioux Falls, would require app stores to implement age checks, display age ratings, and give parents more control over app downloads. Supporters — including Meta, the Attorney General’s Office, and several family‑advocacy groups — say app stores are best positioned to screen minors and protect children from harmful content.
Opponents, including Apple, Google, and tech‑industry groups, argue the bill infringes on privacy, forces users to share more personal data, and duplicates tools already available to parents. They also warned that similar laws in other states face court challenges and could expose South Dakota to legal costs.
Supporters countered that age verification can be done through existing credit‑card information and said protecting children outweighs potential litigation risks.
The bill now heads to the House floor for debate.
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