On July 6, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to block the enforcement of the Texas App Store Accountability Act, a state law requiring app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors seeking to download apps or make in-app purchases on mobile devices. Justice Samuel Alito issued brief orders denying petitions from plaintiffs who argued that the law infringes upon First Amendment rights. This decision follows a ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which lifted a previous district court injunction deeming the law unconstitutional.
The plaintiffs, including the Computer & Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, contended that the law impermissibly restricts access to content protected by the First Amendment, such as news and educational material. They emphasized the importance of parental rights in supervising their children's digital experiences without government interference. Conversely, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defended the measure, asserting that it is essential to protect children from harmful app content, privacy violations, and data exploitation. The law reflects ongoing national debates over digital privacy, parental rights, and online safety for minors.
The Supreme Court's decision allows the Texas App Store Accountability Act to take immediate effect, marking a significant development in the state's efforts to regulate digital content and protect minors in the online environment.