Apple and Google have received a temporary reprieve from complying with a new Texas law requiring age verification for app store users. On Tuesday, Judge Robert Pitman issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Texas App Store Accountability Act from going into effect on January 1st. This measure prevents the law from being enforced for now, averting immediate requirements for both companies to verify the age of users accessing the App Store and Play Store within Texas.
Apple CEO Tim Cook Opposed the Bill Before It Became Law
Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly engaged with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, urging him to modify or veto the bill before it was signed into law. Despite Cook’s lobbying efforts, Abbott approved the legislation in May. The law mandates both Apple and Google to implement user age verification systems aimed at restricting access to age-inappropriate content for younger audiences.
Following Judge Pitman’s ruling, it is expected that the Texas Attorney General will appeal to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. In his ruling, Pitman expressed concerns that the law potentially infringes upon First Amendment rights, describing it as “exceedingly overbroad.” He emphasized that regardless of policy motivations or general agreement on the issue's importance, the judiciary must adhere strictly to legal principles.
Provisions of the Law: Age Verification and Parental Consent
The law requires app stores to categorize every Texas user into one of four specific age groups and verify their identity accordingly. These brackets are:
- Child: 12 and under
- Younger Teenager: 13–15
- Older Teenager: 16–17
- Adult: 18 and older
Judge Pitman drew parallels between the law and a hypothetical bookstore forced to verify customer ages before entry and require parental consent for minors purchasing books. Apple argues that the law would compel collection and retention of sensitive personal data, like government-issued IDs, from all users — not only children. Additionally, app developers must label their apps and justify age ratings accordingly.
Despite the injunction, Texas maintains the law’s constitutionality and others states have enacted similar legislation. The state’s Attorney General is anticipated to appeal soon, and there are ongoing discussions within Congress about a possible federal law imposing age verification requirements for digital stores nationwide. This process, called age-gating, aims to shield younger users from unsuitable content.
