Supreme Court Allows Texas App Store Accountability Act to Take Effect

On July 6, 2026, Supreme Court issued a one-sentence order refusing to block Texas’s App Store Accountability Act, leaving Fifth Circuit’s stay in place. The Court split 6-3, with Justice Clarence Thomas writing the majority and three liberal justices dissenting.

CNN

Signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2025, Act requires app-store operators to verify the age of users under 18, link accounts to a parent or guardian, and obtain parental consent before download or purchase. Ken Paxton and William Peterson defend law; Computer & Communications Industry Association (Apple, Google, Meta) and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) oppose it, joined by coalition of 27 attorneys general led by Florida’s James Uthmeier.

Al Jazeera (website)

By tying parental control to app access, the law raises First Amendment concerns about age verification for digital speech. If upheld, it could set a national precedent limiting minors’ access to online content, from books and music to news and educational apps.

Al Jazeera (website)

Ken Paxton said the act safeguards parents’ right to guide their children; William Peterson argued law is needed because children can download apps that expose them to privacy risks. Fifth Circuit said Texas has a substantial interest in protecting children. Coalition of 27 attorneys general, led by Florida’s James Uthmeier, filed an amicus brief. Supreme Court gave no rationale. CCIA warned measure would bar minors from protected content; SEAT said it infringes First Amendment rights. Judge Pitman likened requirement to age checks at bookstores.

Supreme Court won't block state from enforcing age verification law for app downloads

• “to an expedited hearing before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in early August to demonstrate how Texas’ App Store Accountability Act violates the First Amendment.” — Matt Schruers, CCIA

Politico

• “No state has ever required its citizens to prove their age before reading a newspaper, entering a bookstore, or even accessing the internet,” — CCIA

Al Jazeera (website)

• “The act is akin to a law that would require every bookstore to verify the age of every customer at the door and, for minors, require parental consent before the child or teen could enter and again when they try to purchase a book,” — Pitman

Reuters

• “Equity and the public interest support relief because protecting First Amendment rights — and parents’ rights to supervise their children as they see fit, not as the government tells them they should — is always in the public interest,” — SEAT

Supreme Court won't block state from enforcing age verification law for app downloads

The Fifth Circuit will hear oral arguments in early August and may issue a ruling on the law’s constitutionality. If it upholds the act, the parties may seek Supreme Court review, potentially setting a national precedent for age-verification requirements on digital platforms.

CNN