Mark Zuckerberg turns Republicans against Apple and Google - Reason

Mark Zuckerberg, the head of Meta and owner of two social networks, has been filling Washington with ads to convince lawmakers to pressure Apple and Google to verify the age of buyers and require parental consent for children to download social media apps.

Last year, Zuckerberg managed to convince Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to delay a bill that would have required Facebook and Instagram to make design changes to protect children from bullying, sexual exploitation, and other online crimes. If Zuckerberg succeeds in persuading Republicans to target Apple and Google instead, it will show how much progress he has made with the majority of the Republican Party in Congress.

According to Politico, there is evidence that Zuckerberg is influencing influential figures.

The publication also notes that the bill requiring age verification in app stores is currently one of the most talked-about legislative acts being considered by an influential House committee to ensure children's online safety.

“Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their child’s age and approve the apps they download. The best place to do this is on the app store, and our ads reinforce the need for legislation that puts parents in charge,” Meta said in a statement.

In July, the Senate passed a bill requiring Meta to make design changes under the Children’s Online Safety Act, and it could also be passed by the House of Representatives. However, Speaker Johnson refused to bring it to a vote. Meta and Johnson stated that the bill would violate the First Amendment and lead to online censorship.

Additionally, the Senate's passage of the bill followed years of hearings on the harm of social networks to children.