Texas And California Mandate Digital ID To Access All Apps By 2026 As Apple Introduces Digital ID To Travel Inside The United States

While the digital ID rollout overseas has grabbed attention online, the United States is quietly rolling out digital ID verification that is set to take place next year, thanks to legislation passed by California and Texas.

In October, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that forces device makers such as Apple, Microsoft, and Google to require users to verify their age to access certain content online. The framework established by the state, according to Politico, “could become a national template for shielding kids from potentially inappropriate or harmful content without drawing Big Tech’s ire.”

In a blog post on Newsom’s website, the Governor stated:

“Emerging technology like chatbots and social media can inspire, educate, and connect – but without real guardrails, technology can also exploit, mislead, and endanger our kids. We’ve seen some truly horrific and tragic examples of young people harmed by unregulated tech, and we won’t stand by while companies continue without necessary limits and accountability. We can continue to lead in AI and technology, but we must do it responsibly — protecting our children every step of the way. Our children’s safety is not for sale.”

The bill contains the following provisions:

✅ New safeguards on AI chatbots by establishing requirements that “companion chatbot” platforms create protocols to identify and address users’ suicidal ideation or expressions of self-harm. Platforms must also disclose that interactions are artificially generated, and minors must be provided break reminders and prevented from viewing sexually explicit images generated by the chatbot. Platforms will be required to share protocols for dealing with self-harm and statistics regarding how often they provided users with crisis center prevention notifications to the Department of Public Health. Legislation also establishes a prohibition against chatbots representing themselves as health care professionals.

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