The U.S. Supreme Court has permitted Texas to implement a law that mandates app stores to verify users' ages and secure parental consent for minors seeking to download applications. This decision means the state can enforce the App Store Accountability Act while a legal dispute is ongoing.
Senate Bill 2420, enacted in 2025, compels app store operators like Apple and Google to confirm the ages of users in Texas. It also requires that parental or guardian consent be obtained before anyone under 18 can download apps or make in-app purchases. Additionally, app developers must categorize their products according to age groups: children under 13, teens aged 13 to 15, older teens aged 16 and 17, and adults aged 18 and older.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton praised the ruling as a win for child safety online. The law faced opposition from the Computer and Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, who argue it infringes on First Amendment rights. They contend that requiring personal data for internet access is akin to needing identification to enter a bookstore.
The law has undergone various legal challenges, initially being blocked by a federal judge in Austin. However, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed enforcement to proceed while the case is reviewed. An expedited hearing is scheduled for early August, where the court will evaluate the arguments from both sides. The Supreme Court's order did not address the constitutional issues at stake, leaving the possibility for further appeals.
