H.R. 3149: App Store Accountability Act
Sponsor
John James
Republican · MI-10
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Dec 11, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Why it matters
For parents, the bill promises something concrete they usually do not have now: a single checkpoint at the app store level that tells them what their child is downloading and blocks access without consent for anyone under 18. The winners are families who want more control and developers that would get a safe harbor for relying on app-store age signals; the losers are major app-store operators that would have to build verification systems, absorb compliance risk, and referee disputes over age, privacy, and false denials. If enacted, it would materially change the app economy by centralizing age verification in the store instead of leaving every developer to improvise its own system.
H.R. 3149 Common Questions
Can minors download apps without parental consent under the App Store Accountability Act?
No. Under the App Store Accountability Act (Section 3), if a user is under 18, the app store must link the account to a parental account and get verifiable parental consent before app downloads or in-app purchases.
What age counts as a minor under the App Store Accountability Act?
According to HR3149 Section 2, a minor is anyone under 18. The bill also defines teenagers as 16–17, children as 13–15, and young children as under 13.
Which app stores are covered by the App Store Accountability Act?
Under the App Store Accountability Act (Section 2), it applies to app store providers that own or control a U.S. app store with more than 5,000,000 U.S. users.
How often can an app ask to verify a user's age under HR3149?
According to HR3149 Section 4, an app developer may request age or consent verification no more than once every 12 months for verification purposes, with limited exceptions like legal compliance or suspected misuse.
Does the bill require app stores to verify age when creating an account?
Yes. Under the App Store Accountability Act (Section 3), covered app stores must request and verify age at account creation using a commercially available, accurate method.
Can apps enforce terms of service against minors without parental consent?
No. According to HR3149 Section 4, an app developer cannot enforce a contract or terms against a minor without verified parental consent.
What happens if an app changes its privacy policy or adds new monetization for minors?
Under the App Store Accountability Act (Section 3), significant changes require notice, and for minors the parent must be notified and new verifiable parental consent must be obtained.
Can app developers share a user's age category with third parties under HR3149?
Generally no. According to HR3149 Section 4, developers may not share age-category data with unaffiliated third parties, except service providers or processors.
When does the App Store Accountability Act take effect?
Under the App Store Accountability Act (Section 11), the law would take effect 1 year after enactment.
Can state attorneys general sue app stores under the App Store Accountability Act?
Yes. According to HR3149 Section 7, state attorneys general may bring civil actions in U.S. district court, but they must generally notify the FTC first and cannot duplicate an active FTC case.
Based on H.R. 3149 bill text
HR3149 Legislative Journey
House: Vote Held
Dec 11, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
House: Committee Action
May 1, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
About the Sponsor
John James
Republican, Michigan's 10th congressional district · 3 years in Congress
Committees: Energy and Commerce
View full profile →
Cosponsors (2)
All 2 cosponsors are Republicans. Cosponsors represent 2 states: Florida, Indiana.
Committee Sponsors
Energy and Commerce Committee
2 of 54 committee members cosponsored
28 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 3149 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Energy and Commerce
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Commerce
- Introduced
- May 1, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Dec 11, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill page with full text, cosponsors, actions, and legislative history for the App Store Accountability Act
Identical Senate companion bill introduced the same day, referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
The bill’s definition of ‘personal data’ (Section 2) cross-references the COPPA definition of ‘personal information’ at 15 U.S.C. 6501
Section 6 treats violations as unfair or deceptive acts under 15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B), giving the FTC enforcement authority
Section 6 incorporates the full FTC Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) for enforcement jurisdiction, powers, penalties, and immunities
December 11, 2025 subcommittee markup where HR 3149 was forwarded to the full Energy and Commerce Committee by voice vote
March 5, 2026 full committee markup where HR 3149 was reported to the House floor by a roll call vote of 26-23
The Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, chaired by Rep. Bilirakis, has jurisdiction over this bill
H.R. 3149 Bill Text
“To safeguard children by providing parents with clear and accurate information about the apps downloaded and used by their children and to ensure proper parental consent is achieved, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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