Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) has decided to back the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a bill that the White House is promoting to supersede state regulations on artificial intelligence.

The Mark Zuckerberg-led company had earlier played a role in defeating KOSA two years ago, invoking concerns about freedom of speech. However, the firm has now reversed its stance due to the bill’s provisions that override state AI laws and necessitate age verification for app store platforms such as Alphabet Inc.‘s Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), thus shifting some responsibility for child safety away from social media platforms, reported POLITICO on Tuesday.

This development is viewed as a middle ground between tech industry groups, who find the state laws too fragmented to handle, and legislators aiming to safeguard children on the internet. KOSA mandates tech firms to establish online safety measures for children, like restricting harmful design features and enabling users to opt out of suggested content.

Meta opposed KOSA but has been a vocal supporter of the App Store Accountability Act, arguing that app stores should be responsible for verifying users’ ages. However, Apple ...