Texas Age‑Verification Law for App Stores Blocked: A Victory for Apple and Google

Federal Court Issues Preliminary Injunction

A U.S. district court in Texas has issued a preliminary injunction that stops the state from enforcing its new age‑verification requirement for app stores. The ruling comes after Apple and Google challenged the law, arguing that it infringes on their First Amendment rights.

First Amendment at the Core of the Decision

The judge wrote that compelling platforms to verify the age of every user before allowing access to apps “constitutes a form of compelled speech” that is “incompatible with the protections guaranteed by the First Amendment.” The court noted that the law would force private companies to act as government‑run gatekeepers, a role the Constitution does not require of them.

Implications for the Tech Industry

The injunction is a significant win for the two tech giants, which have long warned that the Texas statute would create “an impossible compliance burden” and could lead to over‑blocking of legitimate content. Both companies have said they will continue to fight similar measures in other states.

What the Law Sought to Do

Texas lawmakers introduced the legislation after a series of high‑profile controversies involving minors accessing adult‑oriented apps. The bill required app‑store operators to implement a “robust” age‑verification system for any app that contains “explicit sexual content,” “gambling,” or “alcohol‑related material.” Violations could have resulted in hefty fines and the removal of non‑compliant apps from the market.

Next Steps

While the preliminary injunction halts the law for now, the case is still pending a full trial. Apple and Google have filed motions for a permanent injunction, and the state of Texas is expected to appeal the decision. The outcome could set a nationwide precedent for how governments regulate digital platforms.