Tech Giants, Texas Teens Sue Over App Store Age Verification Law

Texas' new App Store Accountability Act, set to take effect in January 2026, mandates age verification and parental consent for minors to download or make in-app purchases. The law has faced legal challenges from multiple groups, including major tech companies represented by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and a student coalition called Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT). The lawsuits argue that the law violates the First Amendment by restricting minors' access to protected speech and imposes an overly broad censorship regime on mobile apps. Plaintiffs include minors who rely on apps for education, journalism, debate, and creative expression, asserting the law would block access to essential apps like Kindle, Wikipedia, and social media platforms without parental approval. Texas officials defend the law as a measure to protect children from harmful content and predators, emphasizing parental control in the digital age. These lawsuits highlight the ongoing tension between child protection efforts and free speech rights in the digital marketplace.