Is The $70 Billion Child Safety Bill A Tech Disaster Waiting To Happen?

The Illusion of App Store Accountability

Jake Ward, father, app developer, and head of the Developers Alliance, is diving into the heated congressional debate over how to keep kids safe from inappropriate online content. In a pointed critique of the App Store Accountability Act (ASAA), he argues that this bill is riddled with flaws that could leave children exposed rather than protected.

Ward highlights major issues in Aiden Buzzetti's recent op-ed supporting the ASAA. Buzzetti argues for the necessity of the bill to shield America's youth, but Ward contends that its current structure provides only a facade of safety. The ASAA requires major app stores to capture a user's age at account setup and transmit this information whenever an app is downloaded. However, Ward points out a critical shortcoming: apps are not mandated to act on these age signals, leaving a gaping hole in the accountability framework.

“ASAA’s age-signaling and verification mandates are a smoke screen offering little in the way of real protection,” Ward states.

Unintended Consequences for Developers

The ASAA's impact doesn't stop at ineffectual child protection; it also threatens to cripple small developers. Apps that are harmless for all ages, like language-learning tools or creative illustration apps, would face reduced downloads due to stringent parental consent requirements. As a result, these developers might see a significant dent in revenue.

Moreover, the financial burden is daunting. Every app developer would need to invest approximately $20,000 annually to update their apps to comply with the ASAA's age data handling requirements. This could collectively cost the app ecosystem over $70 billion, with minimal tangible safety benefits to show for it.

Looking for a Balanced Solution

Ward also raises concerns about potential First Amendment violations, as the ASAA could force both developers and users to provide government IDs for accessing educational and news apps. Instead, he suggests the Parents Over Platforms Act (POPA) as a more pragmatic approach. POPA targets only those apps that genuinely pose risks to children and insists on protections while sparing benign apps from heavy-handed regulations.

In closing, Ward appreciates Aiden Buzzetti's concern for online safety but urges lawmakers to support legislation that genuinely shields children without stifling innovation or breaching constitutional rights. As it stands, the ASAA falls short on all fronts.