Alabama App Store Accountability Act (HB 161)
Alabama App Store Accountability Act (HB 161) in Alabama: pending, effective January 1, 2027. Applies to App store providers and developers. Age range: Under 18. Age verification at account creation using commercially reasonable methods
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Alabama |
|---|---|
| Category | App Store Accountability |
| Status | pending |
| Effective date | January 1, 2027 |
| Age range | Under 18 |
| Applies to | App store providers and developers |
Key requirements
- Age verification at account creation using commercially reasonable methods
- Users categorized into four age groups: under 13, 13-15, 16-17, and 18+
- Minor accounts must be linked to a verified parent account
- Verifiable parental consent required before app downloads, purchases, and in-app purchases
- Existing accounts must be verified and categorized by October 1, 2027
- Prohibits sharing personal age verification data
Notes
Signed February 19, 2026. Passed Alabama House 103-0. Fourth state to enact an App Store Accountability Act. No litigation on record as of September 2026.
Frequently asked
What does Alabama App Store Accountability Act (HB 161) require?
Age verification at account creation using commercially reasonable methods Users categorized into four age groups: under 13, 13-15, 16-17, and 18+ Minor accounts must be linked to a verified parent account Verifiable parental consent required before app downloads, purchases, and in-app purchases Existing accounts must be verified and categorized by October 1, 2027 Prohibits sharing personal age verification data
Who must comply with Alabama App Store Accountability Act (HB 161) in Alabama?
App store providers and developers
When does Alabama App Store Accountability Act (HB 161) take effect and what is its status?
Effective January 1, 2027. Current status: pending. Signed February 19, 2026. Passed Alabama House 103-0. Fourth state to enact an App Store Accountability Act. No litigation on record as of September 2026.
Related laws
| Law | Jurisdiction | Category | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) | California | App Store Accountability | pending | January 1, 2027 |
| Colorado Age Attestation on Computing Devices (SB26-051) | Colorado | App Store Accountability | pending | July 1, 2028 (existing accounts by January 1, 2029) |
| Louisiana App Store Accountability Law (HB 977, replacing Act 481 / HB 570) | Louisiana | App Store Accountability | pending | July 1, 2027 (delayed from July 1, 2026) |
| Texas App Store Accountability Law (SB 2420) | Texas | App Store Accountability | challenged | January 1, 2026 (in effect pending appeal) |
| Utah App Store Accountability Act (SB 142, amended by HB 498) | Utah | App Store Accountability | pending | May 6, 2027 (delayed from May 6, 2026) |
| Age Verification for Harmful Content | Alabama | Age Verification | active | Active |
Put it into practice
- Generate the policy: COPPA policy generator (generatepolicy.com)
- Buy the policy pack: Privacy Program Bundle (cyberpolicy.shop)
- Build it yourself: 2026 US Privacy Program Workbook (ciso.diy)