The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to block a Texas law mandating app stores to verify the ages of users and secure parental consent for minors before they can download applications. This ruling enables the enforcement of the measure while a legal challenge proceeds.
The court's order, issued on July 6 without any dissent, denies requests to pause Senate Bill 2420, which is referred to as the App Store Accountability Act. This law, passed in 2025, obligates app store operators, including major companies like Apple and Google, to confirm users' ages and obtain consent from a parent or guardian for anyone under the age of 18. 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, who supported the law, described the ruling as a triumph for safeguarding children on the internet. The law faced opposition from the Computer and Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, who argue that it infringes on First Amendment rights. They contend that users should not have to provide personal information to access online platforms.
The law's legal journey has seen various developments, including an initial block by a federal judge in Austin, who determined it likely violated First Amendment protections. Texas appealed, and the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals permitted the law's enforcement until it can assess its constitutionality in early August. The Supreme Court's ruling does not address the fundamental constitutional issues, leaving the possibility for either party to appeal again after the 5th Circuit's decision.
