The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to block a Texas law that mandates app stores verify the ages of users and secure parental consent before minors can download applications. This ruling permits the enforcement of the measure while a legal challenge is ongoing.
The law, known as Senate Bill 2420, was passed in 2025 and applies to app store operators like Apple and Google. It requires them to confirm the age of users in Texas and obtain consent from a parent or guardian for anyone under 18 who wishes to download an app 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 Supreme Court's decision 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. CCIA President Matt Schruers stated that requiring personal data for internet access is akin to needing identification to enter a bookstore.
The legal journey of this law has included a federal judge in Austin blocking it in December, citing potential First Amendment violations. However, after Texas appealed, the 5th Circuit allowed enforcement to proceed until a ruling on its constitutionality is made. The 5th Circuit is scheduled to hear arguments in early August, with the Supreme Court's order leaving the current enforcement intact.
