A new law in Texas to enforce age verification tools within the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and other storefronts has been blocked by a judge less than two weeks before going into effect.
As reported by Reuters, a federal judge in Texas blocked the App Store Accountability Act through a preliminary injunction on Dec. 23. It was previously set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
The law aims to make tech companies confirm a user’s age before downloading an app from a storefront in an effort to protect children from any harmful effects of social media. It would also impact other companies with app stores, including Amazon and Meta.
Soon after the ruling from Austin’s US District Judge Robert Pitman, both Apple and Google confirmed plans to pause incoming changes which each had previously set out to accommodate the law.
In Apple’s plans, it said all App Store users under 18 would need to join a Family Sharing group with an adult given power to confirm when they’re able to download or purchase an app. On Dec. 23, the brand said it “will pause previously announced implementation plans and monitor the ongoing legal process.”
In the injunction, Judge Pitman said, “While this Court finds that SB 2420 is more likely than not unconstitutional, the Court recognizes the importance of ongoing efforts to better safeguard children when they are on their devices.”
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This comes after the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) sued in October to try to block the law. The group’s members include Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta, alongside other services including Cloudflare, eBay, Intel, Opera, Pinterest, Uber, and more.
The App Store Accountability Act’s journey isn’t over with Texas likely to appeal the injunction through the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Similar laws are expected to take effect in Utah on May 7, 2026, and Louisiana on July 1, 2026.
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