ACT | The App Association Launches “Parents Over Platforms” A Six-Figure Ad Campaign

ACT’s Campaign in Support of Parents Over Platforms Act (H.R.6333)
Comes as Lawmakers Consider the App Store Accountability Act, Which Would Create Serious Privacy and Security Risks for Individuals and Families

Washington, DC — On Friday, February 27, ACT launched a new six-figure advertising campaign supporting the Parents Over Platforms Act (POPA, H.R. 6333). The bill is parents’ and small businesses’ preferred alternative to the App Store Accountability Act (ASAA, H.R.3149), which imposes unconstitutional age verification requirements on digital marketplaces, independent app developers, and small businesses.

While the App Store Accountability Act (ASAA) creates significant security risks by forcing small businesses to collect sensitive age data—making them prime targets for hackers–the Parents Over Platforms Act (POPA) offers a more secure and pragmatic alternative. Rather than burdening individual developers with broad legal liabilities, POPA streamlines child safety by centralizing age verification at the app-store level. This approach empowers parents with meaningful control while ensuring independent developers and small businesses aren’t crushed by the costly, unworkable data mandates inherent in the ASAA.

“Ensuring consumer privacy and security, especially when it comes  to keeping children safe online, has always been a differentiator for small tech companies. That’s why we are proud to launch this significant investment and campaign in support of the Parents Over Platforms Act.  As some social media companies continue to lobby for the App Store Accountability Act, it’s become exceptionally clear that ASAA will make r children and families less safe. ASAA  would also force complicated compliance costs on small businesses, instead of the tech giants pushing it, while creating processes that make American children’s data even more vulnerable. A better approach is the bipartisan Parents Over Platforms Act, which applies reasonable requirements to apps that are most likely to pose age-related risks,” said Morgan Reed, president of ACT | The App Association.

For more information on ACT’s support of the Parents Over Platforms Act and our campaign visit: https://actonline.org/u-s-h-r-3149-app-store-accountability-act/ 

About ACT | The App Association & Members

ACT is a global trade association for small and medium-sized technology companies. Our members are entrepreneurs, innovators, and independent developers within the global app ecosystem that engage with verticals across every industry. We work with our members to promote a policy environment that rewards and inspires innovation while providing resources that help them raise capital, create jobs, and continue to build incredible technology.

For more information, please visit www.actonline.org.