{"id":152015,"date":"2025-12-02T10:52:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T07:52:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ondato.com\/?p=152015"},"modified":"2026-01-26T13:55:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T10:55:45","slug":"california-age-verification-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ondato.com\/pl\/blog\/california-age-verification-law\/","title":{"rendered":"California Age Verification Law: What Businesses Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Even though children can only start using social media platforms from the age of 13, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oecd.org\/en\/blogs\/2025\/06\/too-young-to-scroll-why-governments-are-cracking-down-on-social-media-age-limits.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nearly&nbsp;40% of 8-12-year-old children in the US<\/a>&nbsp;actively use socials, often by faking ages. So, lawmakers are getting increasingly active in ensuring minors are protected from inappropriate content and that parents stay in the loop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most recent moves is&nbsp;<strong>California\u2019s new Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043)<\/strong>, which was signed into law by California&nbsp;Governor Gavin Newsom&nbsp;in October 2025. This new law is undoubtedly a big step toward protecting minors online by requiring age verification for digital services and apps. Shielding children from harmful content, the law aims to ensure parental consent for younger users and minimize unnecessary data collection. It\u2019s part of a broader trend across the US, with states like Florida, Utah, and Texas also introducing their own age verification rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we will examine what the California Age Verification Law is, and what it means for business practices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-overview-of-the-california-age-verification-law\">Overview of the California Age Verification Law<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alstonprivacy.com\/california-enacts-digital-age-verification-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Digital <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alstonprivacy.com\/california-enacts-digital-age-verification-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Age<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alstonprivacy.com\/california-enacts-digital-age-verification-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Assurance Act<\/a>&nbsp;introduces a device-based age verification system designed to create safer digital environments for anyone under 18.&nbsp;Enforced by the California Attorney General, the law allows to impose civil penalties for non-compliance: up to $2,500 per affected child for negligent violations and $7,500 per affected child for intentional ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking effect on January 1, 2027, with a grace period for existing accounts until July 1, 2027,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/therecord.media\/california-enacts-age-verification-chatbot-laws\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">the law<\/a>&nbsp;is designed to make it easier for parents to set up devices for their children and to ensure that apps and platforms know the age of their users without collecting sensitive personal data, while creating a safer online experience for minors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The law applies to<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>a wide net over&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hunton.com\/privacy-and-information-security-law\/california-introduces-new-age-verification-requirements-for-software-applications\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">digital service providers<\/a>&nbsp;that provide services to California users:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Operating System providers<\/strong>, like Apple\u2019s iOS, Google\u2019s Android, Microsoft Windows, etc., must build age verification into device account.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Covered application stores<\/strong>, like Apple App Store, Google Play, and similar platforms, that distribute apps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Application developers<\/strong>: any company that owns or maintains a software application (whether it\u2019s a social media app, game, streaming service, etc.) accessible on those operating.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What does it mean to you? If you develop or distribute apps likely to be used by Californians, especially minors, the law probably affects you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:&nbsp;<\/strong>California&#8217;s Digital&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/blog\/ofcom-age-assurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Age Assurance<\/a>&nbsp;Act does not cover telecom providers or purely physical products, and it won\u2019t hold a company liable for what independent users do \u2013 meaning if a child uses a parent\u2019s device without permission.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>&#8222;This law is about protecting our kids online while ensuring that businesses can innovate and comply without sacrificing privacy or usability.\u201d \u2013 California&#8217;s&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/hintzelaw.com\/blog\/2025\/10\/16\/california-passes-digital-age-assurance-act-into-law\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Governor Gavin Newsom<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-the-nbsp-ab-1043-nbsp-law-requires\">What the&nbsp;<strong>AB 1043&nbsp;<\/strong>Law Requires<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"671\" height=\"377\" src=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/v1_2025-11_California_Age_Verification_Law_Featured-image-1.webp\" alt=\"Key Requirements of California Age Verification Law: OS must ask for age, Apps must check age signal, Minimize data collection, Design age-appropriate experiences, No discrimination of competitors\" class=\"wp-image-152018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/v1_2025-11_California_Age_Verification_Law_Featured-image-1.webp 671w, https:\/\/ondato.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/v1_2025-11_California_Age_Verification_Law_Featured-image-1-300x169.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 671px) 100vw, 671px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>First, let&#8217;s underscore that the new law&#8217;s focus isn\u2019t just on blocking&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/blog\/adult-industry-age-verification\/\">adult content<\/a>, but rather on verifying age in a privacy-conscious way and adjusting online experiences to be age-appropriate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, businesses must implement concrete age-checking measures while honoring peoples&#8217; privacy. Here\u2019s what companies need to know today:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Operating systems must ask for age<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever someone sets up a new device or user account on a phone, tablet, or computer, the OS will need to offer an easy interface asking for the primary user\u2019s birth date or age. For example, when a parent gives their child a new tablet, the setup process might prompt: \u201cWhat is the age of the primary user of this device?\u201d This information is used to generate an &#8222;age bracket signal&#8221;. The standard age ranges are under 13, 13\u201315, 16\u201317, and 18+.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those fearing that they will need to upload their documents to use an iPhone or iPad, this is not going to be the case. The operating system software will not collect anything beyond age info, as the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alstonprivacy.com\/california-enacts-digital-age-verification-law\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">law explicitly states<\/a>&nbsp;that they \u201cneed not collect additional information like photos of government IDs\u201d to verify age.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apps must check the age signal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All app developers are required to request the user\u2019s &#8222;age bracket signal&#8221; from the OS or app store when an app is first launched on a device.&nbsp;Developers must treat this signal as the primary indicator of age unless they have clear evidence to the contrary.&nbsp;Requesting age bracket signal can be handled via a simple API call in the app\u2019s code.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the app receives the signal, it is deemed to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hunton.com\/privacy-and-information-security-law\/california-introduces-new-age-verification-requirements-for-software-applications\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">have \u201cactual knowledge\u201d of the user\u2019s age<\/a><strong>.<\/strong>&nbsp;So, if an app gets a signal saying a user is 12, the company now officially knows<em>&nbsp;<\/em>they\u2019re dealing with a child and must treat the user\u2019s data and experience with appropriate care. More so, according to the law, developers can\u2019t willfully ignore obvious signs if a user\u2019s real age conflicts with the signal, meaning you can\u2019t ignore if you somehow learn the age info is wrong.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cCalifornia\u2019s children are growing up in an online world with no guardrails. AB 1043 creates a secure, privacy-first system for age verification on digital devices and applications, ensuring that businesses can offer safer experiences without over-collecting personal data.\u201d \u2013&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/a14.asmdc.org\/press-releases\/20250325-assemblymember-buffy-wicks-and-senator-tom-umberg-join-forces-digital-age\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Senator Tom Umberg, Co-author of the Digital Age Assurance Act<\/em><\/a><em>.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Minimize data collection and sharing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The law is very clear that, while it demands&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/blog\/what-is-age-verification\/\">age verification<\/a>, it doesn\u2019t want companies over-collecting personal data in the process, and that all players must follow data minimization principles. The OS providers are instructed to share only the necessary info (the age bracket signal) and not to share it with any third party unless needed to comply with the law.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>App developers are also forbidden to request more info than needed for age compliance or to pass over age data outside. This means you shouldn\u2019t be asking kids for things like a full ID scan or a social security number just to confirm age, because that would violate the law. The idea is to verify age with minimal intrusion, using the built-in signals rather than each app creating its own data honeypot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Design age-appropriate experiences&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Companies working with California residents should&nbsp;adjust their service&nbsp;for younger users. For instance, if your app now knows a user is 12, you may need to&nbsp;disable targeted ads or certain contact features&nbsp;to comply with other laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact,&nbsp;once a developer knows a child\u2019s age, additional legal duties can be triggered. Thus, under the federal&nbsp;Children\u2019s Online Privacy Protection Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/legal-library\/browse\/rules\/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-coppa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><u>COPPA<\/u><\/a>), a service must obtain&nbsp;verifiable&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/blog\/parental-consent-measures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>parental consent<\/u><\/a>&nbsp;before collecting personal information from kids under 13. Similarly, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibm.com\/think\/topics\/ccpa-compliance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><u>CCPA<\/u><\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB2273&amp;showamends=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><u>California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act<\/u><\/a>&nbsp;impose stricter data protections and limits on profiling minors once you&nbsp;know&nbsp;you\u2019re dealing with a minor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a nutshell, the law forces businesses to&nbsp;proactively recognize underage users and adapt&nbsp;\u2013 not just give everyone the same experience and hope kids don\u2019t sign up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>No discrimination or competitive abuse<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OS providers and app stores must apply all the rules specified in the law evenly and fairly. For example, they can\u2019t impose strict age checks on third-party apps but exempt their own apps, nor can they misuse age data to gain a competitive edge. To illustrate: Apple can\u2019t make life hard for outside developers in the name of age verification, while giving its own apps a free pass or using the data to outdo rivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>&#8222;Creating a statutory age assurance framework that balances privacy and usability will give parents greater peace of mind, build trust with children and families, and create consistency for businesses looking to innovate responsibly.&#8221; \u2013&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/a14.asmdc.org\/press-releases\/20250325-assemblymember-buffy-wicks-and-senator-tom-umberg-join-forces-digital-age\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Assembly Member and Co-author of AB 1043, Buffy Wicks<\/em><\/a><em>.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike some other regulations that simply throw up roadblocks, similar to the \u201cadults only beyond this point\u201d gates, the&nbsp;Digital Age Assurance Act&nbsp;leans toward privacy-by-design and more nuanced safeguards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-ab-1043-compares-to-other-state-laws\">How AB 1043 Compares to Other State Laws<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the last 3 years, the US was swept by a flurry of&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/blog\/adult-content-age-verification-laws\/\">state-level age verification laws<\/a>, each tackling the issue a bit differently. For example, Texas and Utah laws outline different age verification requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, it\u2019s instrumental for businesses operating nationwide to understand how these laws compare to California&#8217;s newest age verification legislation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>State law<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Key requirements<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/blog\/florida-age-verification-law\/\"><strong><u>Florida \u2013 Online Protections for Minors Act<\/u><\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;(HB 3)<\/strong><\/td><td>&#8211; Requires strict&nbsp;age verification&nbsp;(ID upload or third-party checks) for any site hosting content \u201charmful to minors\u201d (pornography, violent material, etc.)<br>&#8211; Bans social media accounts&nbsp;for children under 14.<br>Requires&nbsp;parental consent&nbsp;for users aged 14\u201317.<br>&#8211; Allows&nbsp;individual&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/blog\/age-verification-lawsuits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lawsuits<\/a>&nbsp;and criminal penalties&nbsp;for willful violations; fines up to $50,000 per incident. <br>&#8211; Parts of the law are currently&nbsp;paused by injunction&nbsp;due to First Amendment challenges.<\/td><td>If a 13-year-old in Florida tries to sign up for Instagram, the platform must deny the account. A 15-year-old can join only with verifiable parental consent.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/blog\/utah-age-verification-law\/\"><strong><u>Utah \u2013 Social Media Regulation Act<\/u><\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;(SB 152)<\/strong><\/td><td>&#8211; Social media platforms must&nbsp;verify the age&nbsp;of every Utah resident.<br>&#8211; Parental consent&nbsp;required for all minors under 18.Imposes&nbsp;nighttime curfews&nbsp;(accounts disabled overnight).<br>Prohibits targeted ads and certain features for minors.<br>&#8211; Extends&nbsp;age-ID requirements&nbsp;to adult content sites similar to Texas and Louisiana.<\/td><td>A Utah teen\u2019s TikTok account would automatically shut off between set nighttime hours unless a parent adjusts settings through a verified parent account.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/blog\/new-texas-age-verification-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas \u2013 H.B. 1181<\/a><\/u> (Adult Content) +&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.texaspolicyresearch.com\/texas-app-store-law-faces-first-amendment-lawsuit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>App Store Accountability Act<\/strong><\/a><strong>(SB 2420)<\/strong><\/td><td>&#8211; <strong>HB 1181:<\/strong>&nbsp;Requires 18+ verification for adult-content websites (ID or government record). Upheld by the&nbsp;US Supreme Court&nbsp;as constitutional.<br>&#8211; <strong>SB 2420<\/strong>&nbsp;(effective Jan 1, 2026):&nbsp;App stores must&nbsp;verify user age&nbsp;and obtain parental consent&nbsp;for any minor before app downloads or in-app purchases.<br>&#8211; Defines clear age brackets (under 13, 13\u201315, 16\u201317, 18+).<br>&#8211; Requires&nbsp;parent-linked accounts&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;sharing age\/consent data&nbsp;with developers.<\/td><td>A 16-year-old in Texas cannot download a new mobile game unless their parent\u2019s account has granted permission. App stores act as the compliance gatekeepers.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To sum up, California\u2019s AB 1043 avoids hard age gates and instead uses age signals to estimate user age and apply privacy protections for minors. It&#8217;s a less intrusive approach that aligns with broader privacy trends, but it also creates unique challenges for businesses that operate across multiple states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compliance Challenges for Businesses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Implementing age verification mechanisms isn\u2019t simple. Businesses must accurately determine user age, avoid collecting unnecessary data, and comply with multiple state laws simultaneously. For example, a platform serving users in California, Texas, and Utah must navigate different requirements for age verification, parental consent, and data protection.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s highlight key hurdles and how companies can approach them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Determining user age accurately<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies show that&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/surgeongeneral\/reports-and-publications\/youth-mental-health\/social-media\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">86% of children under 13<\/a>&nbsp;have accounts on platforms that officially ban under-13 users by just inputting a false age. So, just asking &#8222;what age are you?&#8221; is not enough. Businesses will need a multi-tiered approach: a default method that\u2019s low-friction, like an automated estimation or a third-party age check, with a fallback, like manual ID verification, if needed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The key is balancing accuracy with user experience. Too high a barrier, and you\u2019ll drive away legitimate users, and also anger parents. Too low, and you\u2019ll fall short of compliance. Testing different solutions and possibly offering users choices (\u201cVerify your age by ID or by a quick face scan\u201d) can improve acceptance. It\u2019s also wise to keep records of whatever age verification you do, in case regulators ask for proof that you attempted to verify ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Newer solutions use AI-based facial analysis and can estimate age by scanning a user\u2019s face via webcam or phone. This is quick and document-free, but users may feel uneasy being \u201cscanned&#8221;, and the tech, while improving, isn\u2019t foolproof across diverse populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Avoiding data overcollection<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the cornerstones of the new California law is data minimization, meaning you can&#8217;t store every user&#8217;s birth certificate. Instead, companies are required to design verification flows that extract the minimum info needed, like a yes\/no or age range confirmation, and then immediately delete or anonymize any personal data used for verification.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, you must clearly inform young users (and their parents) why you\u2019re asking for this info, and that you\u2019re not going to exploit it for other purposes. Not only is this often legally required, but it also builds user trust, especially today when public concern over data privacy is at an all-time high. And since it&#8217;s children\u2019s data \u2013 anxiety is very high.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Abiding by multiple and often conflicting laws&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The US is a minefield of age verification legislations, differing in almost every state. California says \u201cverify age and adjust design\u201d; Florida says \u201ckick off the under-14s and get IDs for adult content\u201d; Texas and Utah say \u201cno minors without parental consent,\u201d etc. This can be really frustrating. Do you apply the strictest rule to everyone, or do you geofence different experiences by state?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s why many companies are considering broad measures like applying California\u2019s privacy-oriented standards nationwide. Because even if not legally required elsewhere, it arguably provides a baseline of protection. However, you might still need some state-specific tweaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, it&#8217;s a good idea to designate a compliance officer or team to monitor new laws and update your policies. On top of state laws, watch out for any federal legislation, as there have been talks of national bills, like a proposed&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/socialmediavictims.org\/congress\/protecting-kids-on-social-media-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Protecting Kids on Social Media Act<\/em><\/a>, which could set a nationwide age rule. So, your compliance strategy should be flexible and modular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ensuring transparency and user trust<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>To avoid backlash, companies should be careful about how they ask users to prove their age. It&#8217;s all about how you communicate that. Consider using a friendly explainer written for children explaining why you&#8217;re asking them to verify their age. Also, make sure your privacy policy is up to date and easy to read regarding these changes. Next, think about user support \u2013 some percentage of users will have trouble with the process. For example, a teen might not have immediate access to a parent for consent, or an older user might be confused by an online ID check.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, be transparent about what happens after verification. If you determine a user is underage, be clear about how you\u2019ll treat their data and what features may change for them. Maybe offer a dashboard or account setting where a user (or their parent) can see and confirm the age info on file, and learn how to correct it if there\u2019s an error.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Solution: Privacy-preserving Age Verification Technologies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Preparing for California&#8217;s new law may be daunting. But the good news is that you don\u2019t have to invent these solutions from scratch! In fact, a number of tech companies specialize in age verification and identity validation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s why a lot of businesses are turning to third-party providers that offer ready-made, compliance-friendly tools. For example, some providers offer AI-driven age estimation via camera as a service, where the user\u2019s image is analyzed to output an age range and then deleted. Others provide a digital identity token \u2013 the user goes through a one-time verification with the provider, say by scanning their ID or using a biometric check, and then receives a secure digital certificate confirming their age that can be presented to multiple sites (this is sometimes called a \u201c<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/age-verification\/reusable-age-verification\/\">reusable age credential<\/a>\u201d).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Such solutions can dramatically reduce how many times a person has to expose their personal data. It works as a digital &#8222;proof-of-age card&#8221; that only says \u201c18+\u201d or \u201cage verified\u201d without revealing everything on your driver\u2019s license. At Ondato, we specialize in digital&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ondato.com\/blog\/what-is-identity-verification\/\">identity verification<\/a>. Our privacy-centric age verification tools, such as document-free verification and reusable age tokens, help businesses comply with various laws without hiccups.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, by integrating solutions like Ondato, you can outsource a lot of the heavy lifting \u2013 the provider will handle the sensitive data under strict compliance, and you just get a yes\/no answer or an age bracket signal to act on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A friendly suggestion: When choosing a solution, ensure it complies with relevant privacy standards, such as GDPR if you have international users, and that it offers robust security. After all, you\u2019re trusting them with your users\u2019 data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting ready for the California Age Verification Law can be daunting, but if you have a solid plan, you&#8217;d be just fine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify how many minors use your platform, what data you collect from them, and where gaps exist in your current age checks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coordinate with OS providers for California\u2019s new &#8222;age-signal system&#8221; or choose privacy-first partners that verify age with minimal data collection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where required, especially for users under 13, create easy ways for parents to approve, revoke, or manage access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turn off risky features like targeted ads or public profiles for minors and document these safeguards in your risk assessments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure staff understand the new workflows, update your privacy policy, and communicate clearly with users about why verification matters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Treat this as an ongoing effort: laws will evolve, and compliance should, too. Regular audits and quick adjustments will keep you ahead of changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>California\u2019s new law is a<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>forward-thinking step toward safer digital experiences. Businesses that act now, embedding age assurance, privacy, and transparency into their design, will lead in building a more trustworthy online world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Even though children can only start using social media platforms from the age of 13, nearly&nbsp;40% of 8-12-year-old children in the US&nbsp;actively use socials, often by faking ages. So, lawmakers are getting increasingly active in ensuring minors are protected from inappropriate content and that parents stay in the loop. One of the most recent moves [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":152016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[84],"class_list":["post-152015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-age-verification"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.6 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>California Age Verification Law: What Businesses Should Know | Ondato<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn what the California age verification law means for online businesses. 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