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Texas Age Verification Law Stands

WireByte Staff · July 7, 2026

The US Supreme Court lets Texas enforce a law requiring Apple and Google to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors, amid First Amendment concerns

Key points

  • The Texas App Store Accountability Act forces Apple and Google to verify users' ages and get parental consent for minors to download apps or make in-app purchases
  • The law categorizes users into age bands: under 13, 13-15, 16-17, and adult, with those under 18 needing a linked guardian for downloads and purchases
  • Critics argue the law raises privacy concerns, as reliable age checks often require more personal data, while supporters see it as basic child protection
  • The law is being challenged by the Computer and Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, who claim it violates the First Amendment right to free speech
  • The US Supreme Court denied a request to pause enforcement of the law, allowing it to remain in effect while the challenge continues in lower courts
  • Texas is not the first state to pass such a law, with Utah and other states having implemented similar measures

The Texas App Store Accountability Act, also known as SB 2420, is a state law that requires app stores to verify the age of their users and obtain parental consent for minors. This law applies to both Apple and Google, and is intended to protect children from accessing inappropriate content. However, critics argue that the law raises significant privacy concerns, as it requires the collection of more personal data. The law has been challenged by two groups, the Computer and Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, who claim that it violates the First Amendment right to free speech. The US Supreme Court has denied a request to pause enforcement of the law, allowing it to remain in effect while the challenge continues in lower courts.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.