2025-12-11 03:02:48
Apple CEO Tim Cook was in Washington, D.C. today to meet with US lawmakers about the upcoming App Store Accountability Act, reports Bloomberg. The App Store Accountability Act would require Apple to verify a person's age when an Apple Account is created using a "commercially available method or process," and get parental consent for each app that a child under 16 downloads.
Apple is against the App Store Accountability Act because it does not want to be legally responsible for verifying user age, obtaining parental consent, or ensuring that developers follow the rules, nor does it want to collect the required documentation. It is Apple's opinion that age verification should be the responsibility of app creators.
Cook pushed lawmakers not to require app store platforms to collect data for age verification purposes, instead suggesting that parents should be providing the age of a child when creating a child's account (which is how account creation works now).
To head off legislation, Apple has introduced new age assurance features, such as simpler tools for parents to oversee children's Apple accounts, new age categories for app content, and the Declared Age Range API that provides developers with a privacy-forward way to ensure kids aren't exposed to in-app content meant for adults.
Apple has argued that it already has extensive parental controls with Screen Time, and that the legislation would require it to collect excessive amounts of information from all users just to verify the age of children. Apple says that it could be required to collect data like a driver's license, passport, or Social Security number, which is "not in the interest of user safety or privacy."
The House Energy and Commerce Committee will consider the bill on Thursday morning.
Texas recently passed a similar bill, SB2420. Starting on January 1, 2026, Apple users located in Texas will need to confirm whether they are 18 years or older when creating an Apple Account. Apple will need to verify age and parental identity, and the App Store will need to provide additional information to parents.
2025-12-11 02:02:47
Apple has teamed up with Mattel for a 30 percent discount on Mattel toys when using Apple Pay to check out on the Mattel website. The discount is available for Barbie, Hot Wheels, Masters of the Universe, and other Mattel branded toys.
The Apple Pay deal is available from December 8 to December 14 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. To get the discount, users will need to use Apple Pay for their purchase on the Mattel website, and enter the promo code APPLEPAY at checkout.
The deal excludes shipping and handling, gift cards, taxes, and Mattel Creations Memberships. There are no minimum or maximum purchase limits listed, so the deal should apply to all purchases made on the website through December 14.
2025-12-11 00:39:33
Apple today unveiled its fifth retail store in India, at the DLF Mall in Noida. The store opens to customers this Thursday, December 11, at 1 p.m. local time.
Apple Noida
Apple Livat Beijing
2025-12-11 00:27:04
Amazon this week has the Apple Watch SE 3 on sale at all-time low prices, starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model. These prices are matching the Black Friday discounts we tracked last month, and they are some of the few sales that have consistently stuck around since that event ended.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 on sale for $229.00, down from $279.00. Both models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum options, with multiple sizes on sale as well. As of writing, all models can be delivered in time for the Christmas holiday.
2025-12-11 00:16:31
Apple today updated its Apple Cash feature to introduce a set of stickers that can be used in the Messages app. The stickers are Apple Cash themed, featuring emoji that you might want to use when sending or receiving a payment.
Each sticker is animated, and has an iridescent texture that gives a glinting effect as the sticker moves.
The Apple Cash stickers are rolling out to users starting today. You can find them by opening up the Messages app and selecting a conversation, then tapping on the "+" button next to the text bar. From there, tap on the "Stickers" option and swipe over to Apple Cash.
Apple Cash stickers will show up in the Messages Sticker list automatically, and there is no option to download them from the Sticker App Store. The stickers also aren't able to be removed, because Apple Cash is not an app that can be uninstalled.
2025-12-10 23:15:29
Twelve South today is kicking off a 20 percent sitewide discount that's exclusive to MacRumors readers, allowing you a chance to save on the company's most popular accessories just in time for the holidays. To get this deal, enter the code MacRumors2025 at checkout to take 20 percent off your cart.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Twelve South. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Our code works sitewide on Twelve South, and takes 20 percent off your entire cart, so you can purchase multiple accessories at once for more savings. Once you enter the code MacRumors2025 at checkout, you should start seeing it automatically applied as you browse Twelve South's website.
