Alabama Senate Passes Bill Requiring App Stores to Verify Ages of Users

The legislation aims to shield minors from inappropriate online content by mandating age verification for app downloads.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Alabama Senate unanimously passed a bill that would require app store providers to implement age verification measures for minors downloading apps. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, mandates that app stores obtain parental consent before allowing minors to download, purchase or make in-app purchases. It also limits data collection and sharing between app providers and developers.

Why it matters

Similar age verification laws have been passed in other states like Texas, Louisiana and Utah, though a federal judge blocked Texas' law, citing First Amendment concerns. The Alabama bill is part of a broader effort by state legislatures to protect children from potentially harmful online content and activities.

The details

Under the Alabama bill, app store providers must request users' ages and verify them using commercially available methods or an age verification system that complies with the legislation. If a user is determined to be a minor, the account must be affiliated with a parent account, and parental consent is required before the minor can download, purchase or make in-app purchases. The bill also limits data collection and sharing between app providers and developers.

  • The Alabama Senate passed the bill on February 6, 2026.
  • The bill was sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville.
  • The bill passed the Alabama House of Representatives unanimously on January 23, 2026.

The players

Rep. Chris Sells

The Republican representative from Greenville, Alabama, who sponsored the bill.

Sen. Clyde Chambliss

The Republican senator from Prattville, Alabama, who carried the bill in the Senate.

Sen. Bobby Singleton

The Senate Minority Leader from Greensboro, Alabama, who introduced an amendment to the bill.

Sen. April Weaver

The Republican senator from Hoover, Alabama, who spoke in support of the bill.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As you all know, our technology is advancing. There are, unfortunately, things out there that children are not ready to see, their minds have not matured enough to see. Today is a big step in preventing those things from happening accidentally.”

— Sen. Clyde Chambliss, Republican senator from Prattville, Alabama

“I think we have a product that we can put out there, start protecting families and our children. If we have to come back next year to be able to tighten it up, we can do that.”

— Sen. Bobby Singleton, Senate Minority Leader from Greensboro, Alabama

“When we were growing up, we didn't have iPhones and we didn't have the exposure to such things as they have online now. Just looking at the things that I see on social media, I'm actually horrified that our children are exposed to such things as this at such a young age.”

— Sen. April Weaver, Republican senator from Hoover, Alabama

What’s next

The bill will go into effect in January 2027 after the amendment passed by the Senate. Lawmakers may revisit the legislation next year to make any necessary adjustments.

The takeaway

This bill is part of a broader effort by state legislatures to protect minors from inappropriate online content and activities. While similar laws have faced legal challenges, Alabama's legislation aims to strike a balance between protecting children and avoiding potential constitutional issues.