Apple Joins Push for Kids' Online Safety Law
Apple has endorsed the reintroduction of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a bipartisan bill aiming to strengthen online protections for minors. Originally introduced in 2022 and passed in the Senate by a wide margin, KOSA stalled in the House due to lobbying by Big Tech and fears of censorship. The revised bill, backed now by Apple and previously supported by Microsoft, Snap, and Elon Musk’s X, mandates stronger default privacy settings for minors and prohibits harmful design features that could lead to self-harm, exploitation, or substance abuse. It has gained renewed support amidst increasing concern over online harms involving children. The Washington Post
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The bill's reintroduction has garnered bipartisan support, with Senate leaders from both parties backing the measure. However, resistance remains in the House due to free speech concerns and lobbying by Meta, Google, and NetChoice, which label the bill as overreaching censorship. Some civil rights groups that previously opposed KOSA have withdrawn objections following amendments. Advocates, including bereaved parents and nonprofits, emphasize the urgency of passing KOSA to protect children’s mental health and safety online, while critics warn of the government's potential overreach into online speech regulation.
Apple's support comes as Congress and several states are eyeing age-verification laws that would put the onus on Apple and Google to identify minors online. Apple might view KOSA, which does not mandate age verification, as a more palatable approach than those state ... An Apple spokesperson pointed to Apple's own ... . The Washington Post
The bill's fate lies with House lawmakers, particularly under new committee leadership open to online child protection legislation. As the debate continues, the involvement of major tech companies like Apple may influence the trajectory of KOSA and its potential to reshape online safety standards for minors.