Alabama

Subnational jurisdiction · as of 2026-07-15

Alabama requires commercial adult websites to verify that visitors are 18 or older under a 2024 law that remains in effect. In 2026 Alabama enacted an App Store Accountability Act requiring app store providers to verify user age and obtain parental consent before minors can download apps or make purchases, effective January 1, 2027.

Alabama has not enacted a general social media minor access law or a children's data protection design code; a 2025 bill to require social media age verification for minors did not advance out of committee.

01

Instruments on record

HB161, App Store Accountability Act

Enacted, not yet in force

Act 2026-59 (HB161); Code of Alabama, Title 8

Effective 2027-01-01 · Applies to private

Requires app store providers to request and verify a user's age category (under 13, 13-15, 16-17, or 18 and older) at account creation, and to obtain verifiable parental consent before a minor may download an app or make purchases. Accounts existing before October 2, 2026 must be categorized and verified by October 1, 2027. Signed by Governor Kay Ivey on February 18, 2026 after passing both chambers unanimously.

Age threshold18
Verification methodsdigital id, device signal, parental consent
PenaltiesKnowing or reckless violations are deceptive trade practices under Chapter 19 of Title 8; the Attorney General has exclusive jurisdiction to bring an action and may collect a civil penalty of up to $7,500 per violation.
Enforcement bodyAlabama Attorney General (exclusive)
Private suitsno

Source: Full text of law

HB164, age verification for material harmful to minors

In force

Ala. Code § 8-19G-1 et seq.

Effective 2024-10-01 · Applies to private

Requires commercial entities whose websites are more than one-third sexual material harmful to minors to use a reasonable age verification method to ensure visitors are 18 or older, without retaining identifying information after access is granted.

Age threshold18
Verification methodsgov id, transactional data, third party service
PenaltiesViolations are treated as a violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Chapter 19 of Title 8; a 10 percent excise tax also applies to gross receipts of qualifying adult websites.
Enforcement bodyAlabama Attorney General
Private suitsno

Source: Full text of law