{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.lee.senate.gov/2025/12/pinterest-endorses-mike-lee-s-app-store-accountability-act-to-protect-kids-online", "Pinterest Endorses Mike Lee\u2019s App Store Accountability Act to Protect Kids Online", "2025-12-01", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", "mikelee", "https://www.lee.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today announced the endorsement by Pinterest for his App Store Accountability Act. The social media giant voiced support for Lee\u2019s protections for children online, including age verification requirements in app stores and tools for parents to protect their children from harmful content online.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad that Pinterest is stepping up to protect kids and put parents in charge by supporting the App Store Accountability Act,\u201d said Senator Mike Lee. \u201cApp stores need reliable age verification, parental controls, and safeguards against exploitation demanded by concerned parents across America. With the help of Pinterest, we\u2019re one step closer to protecting children online.\u201d\n\n\u201cPinterest is proud to endorse the App Store Accountability Act. Parents need a single, privacy-preserving solution to verify their child\u2019s age and know they\u2019re safe online. Making the app store a one-stop shop for age verification ensures children are protected from the moment they start using a device. We urge Congress to pass this important law.\u201d \u2013 Bill Ready, CEO, Pinterest\n\nRepresentative John James (R-MI) introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cKids cannot consent \u2014 and any company that exposes them to addictive or adult material should be held accountable,\u201d said Rep. John James. \"The App Store Accountability Act holds Big Tech companies to the same standard as local corner stores. It safeguards the next generation by empowering parents and ensures that when it comes to protecting children, no one is above the law. I\u2019m grateful that Pinterest and more than 100 others are stepping up and joining this effort to put parents first, hold app stores accountable, and protect kids online.\u201d\n\nPinterest joins Meta, Instagram, and Snapchat in calling for stronger protections for children\u2019s online safety. The App Store Accountability Act empowers parents as decision-makers for their children\u2019s online safety and holds app stores responsible for providing safeguards. The legislation requires app stores and developers to require parental approval for app downloads and provide accurate age ratings for apps. The bill also prohibits any selling or sharing of sensitive data or any act that would restrict freedom of speech.\n\nSupport for increased parental empowerment online is widespread and bipartisan. Recent polling shows 88% of parents support requiring app stores to obtain parental approval for minors to download apps, and 68% agree that granting approval through app stores would be the easiest way to provide their consent. 101 advocate organizations for children\u2019s online safety endorsed the App Store Accountability Act in a letter of support led by the Digital Childhood Alliance. The letter can be read here.\n\nThe App Store Accountability Act empowers parents to protect their children online by:\n\nRequiring app stores to utilize privacy-protecting age verification methods, and link minor-owned accounts to a parental account\u2014allowing parents to give consent before the minor makes downloads or purchases.\n\nProviding a safe harbor for compliant app stores: Platforms can meet minimum standards by offering tools like secure age verification, parental oversight, and accurate app age ratings.\n\nRequiring transparency and oversight: Annual certifications and a complaint mechanism will ensure tools are effective and loopholes are closed.\n\nProhibiting data exploitation: The sale of age-related data collected for verification will be strictly prohibited.\n\nRead exclusive coverage by The Verge here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/2025/12/pinterest-endorses-mike-lee-s-app-store-accountability-act-to-protect-kids-online"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7747679483145475, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}