A federal judge in Texas on [insert ruling date] blocked enforcement of the state’s “App Store Accountability Act,” which would have required smartphone app stores to verify users’ ages before allowing purchases.
The judge granted a preliminary injunction after finding that the law likely violates the First Amendment by restricting access to digital content and anonymous speech.
The law, passed in 2023, aimed to regulate how app store operators handle transactions involving minors. It would have required app stores to confirm users’ ages before buying or downloading certain applications or making in-app purchases, and it included enforcement provisions and potential penalties for noncompliance.
Technology companies and industry groups challenged the measure in federal court, arguing that it is overly broad, burdens anonymous access, and violates the First Amendment. Plaintiffs also said existing federal laws and company policies already provide parental controls and content management tools.
The judge found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their First Amendment claim, noting that the law could chill access to lawful content for both minors and adults. The court said enforcement would require significant changes to app store systems and could not easily be reversed if the law were later struck down.
The ruling stops Texas officials from implementing or enforcing the App Store Accountability Act while the case continues. The preliminary injunction does not end the lawsuit, and state officials may appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.