Learn about identity to understand how this disempowers you
Texas just joined Utah and Louisiana in requiring Government IDs to download any app from the Google or Apple app stores. Texas will be the first to put this in place on January 1st 2026. Apple and Google will now be required to track and store this data. On top of that, each app will be provided your age information. From checking Weather, Calculator or even your Browser the developers of these apps will be provided your age information. No guidelines on encryption practices or penalties for bad practice have been put in place. This means all that you’re left to do is trust the companies behind these apps.
For states and countries that have not yet started implementing this there will be little to no barrier to entry. Since the infrastructure is/will be built out they just need to require Apple/Google to comply.
This is not the end of the internet, on the contrary, you should take the reigns from fascism and turn it into energy to escape the Corporate Platform Complex. Own your internet presence, form your community to host your digital identities. I don’t say this lightly, if you can’t install a side-loaded app store it’s only a matter of time before you join the citizens of Texas, Utah, and Louisiana.
TAKE ACTION!
Install F-Droid to control what you install on your phone