Meta, Google and app store

Meta is trying to ‘offload’ kids safety onto app stores with new bills, Google says
Meta has spent more than a year advocating for new laws requiring app stores to give parents control over kids’ app downloads, and just saw an early victory in the states. But Google charges that it’s really just a misguided effort to “offload” Meta’s own responsibility to keep kids safe.
Google Slams Meta for Backing Utah's App Store Age-Verification Bill
Google says Meta is offloading its responsibility to keep kids safe by backing a Utah bill that puts the onus on app stores to verify users' ages. It's urging the governor to veto it.
Meta and Google clash over online safety of kids: Who is responsible for age verification?
More than a dozen other states in the US are reportedly contemplating similar legislation in an effort to ensure the online safety of kids and teen users. In the past, both Meta and Google have come under fire for allegedly not doing enough to ensure the safety of minors using their platforms.
Utah becomes first US state to require app stores to verify user ages
Utah passed a first-in-the-nation law Wednesday requiring app store operators like Apple and Google to verify the ages of users before allowing downloads.
Google signals support for app store age verification law with changes
Google is pushing back against other major technology companies’ efforts to put the responsibility of age verification on the app stores, arguing the onus is on both the stores and developers to boost children’s safety.
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What is Instagram’s Threads app? All your questions answered
However, your verification mark from Instagram is carried over — even if you have paid for Meta Verified. Users can take advantage of their Instagram network to find people to follow.
Facebook advertisers must verify their identities by end-June following rise of scam ads
There was a 12% increase in reports about scam ads on FB from June to December 2024. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Utah just gave Mark Zuckerberg a big win. But other tech giants aren’t so happy
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told lawmakers in a Congressional hearing last January that it didn’t make sense for his platforms to verify how old their users are in order to serve them age-appropriate ...