A new bill in Arizona is poised to add that state to the many that are now requiring identity verification for apps and even operating systems. This digital big brother would apply to purveyors of operating systems and apps/programs even if they refuse to sell in Arizona. Soon, Arizona will join Utah in requiring that you present your digital papers. The current version of HB 2991, as heavily amended, requires third party age verification and applies to any software for any “general purpose computing device”, to any distributor of said software, or anyone who develops, maintains, or distributes an operating system!
Oh, and it requires they collect data regarding who one communicates with using “social media”, with access given to “parents”. Can’t build the infrastructure to do that for “child” accounts without building the infrastructure to do it for everyone. Companies are also required to share and compare “age verification data”, which, again, sets the infrastructure needed to do the same with any data the government later decides.
As usual, this is supposed to involve anonymous age verification, but anonymity is impossible with the requirements of this bill, especially if intended to be limited to “children”.
Moreover, as of writing, this bill hasn’t moved to a final floor vote in the state Senate… but may be snuck into the budget bill!
The bill, as of writing, can be read here or below:
Arizona HB2991 (2026) – SENATE – Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency – Strike Everything by ThePoliticalHat
