# Apple Implements Ask to Buy Consent Feature

Apple has implemented the Ask to Buy feature as part of Family Sharing, requiring parental approval for children's App Store and in-app purchases across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms. This feature stems from a **$32.5 million settlement** and evolving state regulations such as Texas SB 2420, mandating express consent before billing. The implementation introduces asynchronous approval workflows that app developers and marketers must accommodate to ensure compliance with regulatory and legal requirements.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals and contractors developing or marketing apps for Apple platforms must integrate Ask to Buy compliance mechanisms to meet regulatory mandates and avoid legal risks.
- The feature impacts user experience design and transaction processing by requiring parental consent steps, influencing app development timelines and costs.
- Organizations should evaluate their product roadmaps and compliance strategies in light of state laws like Texas SB 2420 and potential similar legislation in California and Utah.
- Industry stakeholders including platform operators like Apple and Google, as well as publishers and app marketers, must coordinate to address consent verification and age-appropriate controls effectively.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Texas Legislature
- Utah Legislature
- California Legislature

### Vendors
- Apple (platform operator)
- Google (platform operator)
- Meta (industry supporter)
- Snap (industry supporter)
- Substack (publisher)

### Key Quotes
> This $32.5 million settlement and the resulting Ask to Buy feature ensure express, informed consent before billing for in-app charges, protecting families from unexpected expenses.
> — Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer

> Centralised app store age verification and consent mechanisms create risks for children, and alternative approaches should be considered.
> — Kate Charlet, Executive, Google

### Sources
- [Explaining Ask to Buy](https://ppc.land/ask-to-buy) - PPC Land