Parents Decide Act

This legislative proposal requires operating system providers to implement mandatory age verification for all users of their systems. To set up and use an operating system, individuals must provide their date of birth, establishing a foundational layer of age identification.

For users under 18 years of age, the bill stipulates that a parent or legal guardian must verify the provided date of birth. Additionally, operating system providers are tasked with developing systems that allow app developers to access this verified age information, facilitating age-appropriate content and services across applications.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is designated as the enforcing authority, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under existing law. The FTC is also directed to promulgate comprehensive regulations within 180 days, covering aspects such as parental verification methods, data protection standards for collected birth dates, and mechanisms for parental control over minors' device access.

These regulations will ensure secure data collection and prevent breaches of sensitive age information. The bill is set to take effect one year after its enactment, with the FTC also required to report to Congress on its implementation and any necessary legislative updates.