The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to block a Texas law requiring app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors seeking to download apps or make in-app purchases. The justices denied emergency petitions from challengers, including the Computer & Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, who argued the law violates the First Amendment.
The Texas App Store Accountability Act, signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott in 2025, mandates that minors under 18 must obtain parental approval before downloading apps. The law also requires app stores to link minors' accounts to those of their parents or guardians. The Supreme Court's decision allows the law to remain in effect while litigation continues in lower courts.
The law has faced legal challenges since its passage. A federal district court initially blocked its enforcement in December 2025, ruling that it likely violated the First Amendment. However, a three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the law in May, leading to the unsuccessful petitions to the Supreme Court.
Supporters of the law argue it protects children from harmful content and ensures parental oversight. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office stated that the law safeguards minors from exposure to potentially dangerous apps and data privacy violations. Opponents, including the plaintiffs, contend that the law restricts access to educational and news content, infringing on free speech rights.
The Supreme Court's decision aligns with its previous ruling upholding a Texas law requiring age verification for pornographic websites. That 6-3 decision, issued last year, saw the court's conservative justices in the majority. The current case reflects broader efforts by states and countries to regulate children's access to digital content.
Similar laws have been enacted in Utah, Louisiana, and Alabama, indicating a growing trend in state-level regulation of minors' online activities.