Judge halts Texas app store age-check law over free-speech concerns

On Tuesday, a federal judge halted new Texas legislation from taking effect on January 1. The rule would have required adults and children to verify their age before installing applications or making in-app purchases. The judge found the legislation likely to violate First Amendment rights.

U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman imposed a preliminary injunction against Senate Bill 2420, the App Store Accountability Act—the bill requiring individuals to verify their age before downloading apps passed with overwhelming support this year. Minors requesting downloads or purchases would need parental clearance and identity verification.

Pitman concluded that needing government approval to access various types of content creates unfair rules that limit free speech. The judge acknowledged concerns about children's technology use but stressed constitutional limits.

Pitman said, “The implications are significant, and the Court acknowledges the widespread backing for safeguarding children in their use of applications.” “However, the methods used to achieve that goal must align with First Amendment principles.”

SEAT and two under-18 Texas high school students filed a lawsuit in October. The plaintiffs sued Ken Paxton, who enforced the legislation, claiming the measure would limit legitimate expression and parental authority.

Students' attorney Adam Sieff praised the result but called the statute an excessive intervention into family decision-making. App stores allow smartphone and internet users to tap into the immense pool of practically all documented human knowledge and creativity,” Sieff said. He claimed that blocking student access without parental approval “has never been a constitutionally acceptable method to safeguard children or assist families.”

This ruling continues a trend in Austin federal courts. Pitman intervened in Texas's SCOPE Act earlier this year, which requires social media firms to identify users' ages and restrict minors' access to information. A bill banning minors from social media failed in the Legislature.

The Texas Attorney General's Office has not responded to requests for comment. KERA News has contacted the office and will update coverage if possible.

The injunction temporarily stops the app store regulation from taking effect, preserving parental controls and platform-based protections.