Florida attorney general proposes Safe Screens Act for app store age checks

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Sheriff Grady Judd have announced proposed legislation called the Safe Screens Act, the Floridian Press, Tampa Bay 28, and Florida's Voice reported. The proposed state law targets major technology companies and focuses on child safety online. [1][7][8]

The Floridian Press reported that Attorney General Uthmeier is calling for age verification measures directly within mobile app stores under the proposed law. The initiative aims to hold digital platforms accountable for restricting minor access to internet content. [1]

Age verification systems externally verify a person's age using technical measures. These frameworks are designed to restrict access to content classified as inappropriate for minors or to enforce compliance with digital privacy regulations that govern the collection of personal data from children. [10]

The Florida proposal follows wider legislative attempts across the United States to mandate age checking across digital platforms, including federal initiatives such as the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act. State officials have not yet detailed the precise technical requirements or enforcement timelines for app store operators under the proposed bill. [1][7][8][11]