A federal judge in Texas has blocked a new App Store age verification law just days before it was set to take effect. The decision pauses a rule that would have forced Apple to verify the age of every user creating an Apple Account starting January 1, 2026.
The law, known as the Texas App Store Accountability Act or SB2420, required app marketplaces to confirm a user’s age during account creation. If the user was under 18, the account had to join Family Sharing. Parents would gain new controls, while minors would face added restrictions. That entire system is now on hold.
Court says the law likely violates free speech
Judge Robert Pitman issued a preliminary injunction, saying the law is “more likely than not unconstitutional.” He found that the measure likely violates the First Amendment.
In his order, Pitman compared the law to forcing bookstores to check the age of every customer at the door. He wrote that it would also require parental consent before a minor could even browse, and again when trying to buy a book. The court said this approach crosses constitutional limits.
Industry group challenged the law
The injunction followed a lawsuit filed by the Computer and Communications Industry Association, which represents major technology companies.
Apple supported the challenge and has opposed similar age assurance laws in multiple states. The company argues that mandatory age checks threaten user privacy, even for harmless apps.
Apple previously said it supports child safety but raised concerns about SB2420’s scope. The company warned that the law would require collecting “sensitive, personally identifiable information” even when someone only wants to download basic apps like weather or sports.
What happens next
The court will now decide whether the law is facially invalid. If it reaches that conclusion, the statute would be struck down entirely.
For now, Apple and other app marketplaces do not need to implement age verification changes in Texas. The ruling gives Apple breathing room, but the broader fight over online age checks and privacy remains far from settled.
