Ohio lawmakers have been debating two different versions of legislation requiring app stores, like the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, to establish age verification measures.

Meta is behind one version, House Bill 226 and Senate Bill 167 , while Google is backing the other one, House Bill 302 and Senate Bill 175 .

Earlier this year, a federal judge struck down a state law requiring parental permission for social media and gaming apps, so legislators have set their sights on regulating app stores rather than individual apps.

Under HB 226 and SB 167, if an app is “likely to be accessed by children,” app stores would have to obtain parental permission prior to letting Ohioans 16 years or younger download the app. Stores would carry the burden of verifying user ages throug

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