"A broad censorship regime" - Big Tech and students hit Texas age verification law with legal complaints
A student journalist, a high school debater, a student advocacy organization, and a consortium of Big Tech giants walked into a room, not to engage in a joke, but to challenge the new age verification law set to be enforced in Texas. The Texas App Store Accountability Act, slated to take effect on January 1, 2026, aims to require official app stores to perform mandatory age checks on anyone within the state before allowing them to download any mobile applications. Teenagers would also be banned from downloading apps or making in-app purchases without parental consent, with parents needing to verify their identity to provide consent for every download or purchase.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), which represents Apple, Google, and Amazon among its members, has filed a lawsuit against the law, claiming it violates the First Amendment. "By restricting app stores from offering lawful content, preventing users from seeing that content, and compelling app developers to speak of their offerings in a way pleasing to the state," the CCIA argues, these requirements infringe on free speech.
The Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), a student advocacy organization, has also joined the lawsuit. "Students have just as much a right to access information as adults, and this law denies them that access," said Cameron Samuels, co-founder and Executive Director of SEAT. The group believes that by restricting minors' access to certain content, the Texas App Store Accountability Act undermines their ability to learn, communicate, and express themselves.
Big Tech giants are also taking a stand against the law, which they argue goes beyond social media apps or adult-only websites typically targeted by age verification laws. "The First Amendment does not permit the government to require teenagers to get their parents’ permission before accessing information, except in discrete categories like obscenity," said Ambika Kumar, a lawyer for SEAT. "This law imposes a system of prior restraint on protected expression that is presumptively unconstitutional."
The Texas App Store Accountability Act has sparked concerns about data privacy and security. Experts warn that building a database of sensitive identification documents could become vulnerable to hacking or abuse. Moreover, the law's broad scope raises questions about its potential impact on citizens' rights.
How Texas age verification rules could affect citizens
The CCIA warns that the proposed rules are "a misguided attempt to protect minors" and seek to impose unnecessary restrictions on users. Under the law, everyone (not just minors) would be required to prove their age before accessing app stores, using a valid form of government-issued identification.
However, this raises concerns about data privacy and security. Users could use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to spoof their IP addresses and bypass these checks. But will this work for Texans? The outcome depends on how the restrictions are eventually implemented.
The implications of mandatory age verification
As mandatory age verification spreads across the internet, people in the US and abroad have started using VPNs as a workaround to avoid sharing sensitive personal data or evade control. But will this solution be effective against app store-level restrictions? The outcome remains uncertain.
What's at stake
The fight over the Texas App Store Accountability Act highlights the ongoing debate about children's online safety and the balance between parental control and individual rights. As we navigate this complex issue, it is essential to consider the potential impact on citizens' lives and the limits of government regulation.
Stay informed with our coverage of digital rights, tech policies, cybersecurity, and data privacy. Reach out to us at chiara.castro@futurenet.com if you have any questions or concerns about this story.