Iowa
Iowa requires operators of websites and apps with a substantial portion of content pornographic for minors to perform reasonable age verification, effective July 1, 2026. No social media age verification, app store accountability, or design code law has been enacted; bills addressing parental consent for minor social media accounts and app store age verification were introduced in the 2026 session but did not pass either chamber.
Subnational jurisdiction. Reviewed 2026-07-15.
HF 864, age verification for websites and apps pornographic for minors
Operators of internet sites, apps, or segments of apps containing a substantial portion (one third or more) of material pornographic for minors must perform reasonable age verification of Iowa users before granting access, and may not retain, sell, or disseminate identifying information. Signed June 1, 2026.
- Citation
- Iowa Code ch. 554J (2026 Iowa Acts, HF 864)
- Status
- In force
- Effective date
- 2026-07-01
- Applies to
- Private sector
- Age threshold
- 18
- Verification methods
- digital id, transactional data
- Covered services
- Websites, applications, or segments of applications where a substantial portion of the content is pornographic material harmful to minors.
- Penalties
- Civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation, capped at $10,000 per day; each access of a noncompliant site or app is a separate violation.
- Enforcement body
- Iowa Attorney General (injunctions and civil penalty actions); the Attorney General may also approve additional verification methods by rule.
- Private right of action
- no
- Source
- Iowa Code ch. 554J (2026 Iowa Acts, HF 864)
Reviewed 2026-07-15. Confidence: high. Fast-moving area, verify before relying. Not legal advice.