A national tech advocacy group backed in part by Apple has launched a digital ad campaign in Alabama targeting SB187, a proposed child online safety bill, calling it a threat to business and internet safety.
The ad, promoted by The App Association and paid for by the Association for Competitive Technology, claims the bill “makes doing business more costly and makes the internet less safe.” The campaign features images of children on digital devices and urges viewers to “learn more” about what the group calls the unintended consequences of the legislation.
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SB187, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville), would impose new requirements on app store providers and developers. Companion legislation in the Alabama House carried by State Rep. Chris Sells (R-Greenville) received a public hearing last month, but was not taken for a vote.
If passed, the law would require parental consent before minors can download apps or make purchases, and real-time data sharing with developers about a user’s age status. It would also classify violations as deceptive trade practices, enforceable by the Alabama Attorney General with penalties of up to $50,000 per violation.
While the group brands itself as an advocate for small developers, a 2022 Bloomberg report revealed that Apple provides substantial financial backing to ACT — raising questions about the tech giant’s influence over the organization’s policy positions and lobbying efforts.
Polling from the Alabama Policy Institute has shown broad support among Alabama voters for requiring parental approval for app downloads. However, tech industry groups have raised red flags over the bill’s compliance burdens and the feasibility of verifying ages without risking users’ privacy.
ACT’s website describes the organization as “the voice of small tech,” but the group has lobbied against age-verification and app store reform bills in other states as well. The group’s ad disclosures, verified by Meta, list contact information linked to ACT’s Washington-based headquarters and direct users to learn more at actonline.org.
Earlier this year, Utah became the first state to require app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors before app downloads. Similar bills are under consideration in at least nine other states, including the one in Alabama.
SB187 cleared its initial Senate committee in February but has not yet been scheduled for a floor vote. If enacted, the law would take effect next year.
Grace Heim is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You can follow her on X @graceeheim or email her at [email protected].
