Bill
HB 4429
Requires devices and app stores to emit an age signal to apps/services that blocks or limits mature content for under-18 users, with parental controls where feasible.
Status & timeline
- Filed: March 11, 2025; introduced in House: May 6, 2025
- Passed legislature: May 2025; sent to Governor May 26, 2025; signed by Governor: June 20, 2025
- Effective date: September 1, 2025
- Companion bill: SB 2688
Purpose
- Require device makers, operating‑system providers, and application stores (“covered manufacturers”) to provide an interoperable digital signal conveying coarse age categories for device users, and require websites/apps/online services that present sexually explicit (“mature”) content to respond to that signal to restrict access for minors and offer parental supervision features.
Key definitions (selected)
- “Mature content”: sexually explicit content as defined in 18 U.S.C. §2256.
- “Covered manufacturer”: maker of a device, an operating system for a device, or an application store.
- “Device”: network‑capable digital equipment (desktop, laptop, phone, tablet, etc.).
- “Substantial portion”: >33.33% of total material is mature content.
- Age buckets required in the digital signal: <13; 13–15; 16–17; 18+.
Core requirements for covered manufacturers
- On device activation, take commercially reasonable and technically feasible steps to determine or estimate user age and expose that estimate via an application programming interface (API) digital age signal to apps, stores, and services.
- For app stores: if a downloader is <16, obtain parental/guardian consent before permitting the download and offer an option to connect parents with app developers to facilitate parental‑supervision tools.
- For devices sold before the law, manufacturers must include these features by default in any OS or app‑store update issued after the effective date.
Requirements for websites, apps, and online services
- Must accept the digital age signal.
- If the site/service knowingly makes a substantial portion of content mature: block access if the signal indicates the user is under 18.
- If the site/service makes less than a substantial portion mature: block known mature content for under‑18 users and provide a disclaimer before displaying known mature content.
- When the service has knowledge a user is under 18, it must—where technically feasible—provide parental/guardian features (manage linked accounts, age‑appropriate content delivery, daily time limits).
Competition and nondiscrimination
- Covered manufacturers must apply restrictions/obligations nondiscriminatorily (same rules for their own services and third parties).
- Prohibits using third‑party data or consent mechanisms to disadvantage or compete against third parties, or otherwise act anticompetitively.
Rulemaking, enforcement, and penalties
- The Michigan Department of Attorney General may adopt rules to implement the law.
- Enforcement is exclusive to the Department of Attorney General; there is no private right of action.
- Department must give 45 days’ written notice and opportunity to cure alleged violations; if not cured, civil actions may seek damages up to $10,000 per violation (damages begin accruing after the 45‑day cure period).
- A covered manufacturer is not liable if it has taken commercially reasonable and technically feasible steps to comply.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Aims to expand age‑based blocking and parental control interoperability across devices and online services.
- Could impose implementation and compliance costs on device makers, OS providers, app stores, and content services.
- Relies on “commercially reasonable and technically feasible” standards and age‑estimation methods; practical implementation, privacy tradeoffs, and interoperability details will depend on Department rules and technical design.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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