Judge Halts Texas App Store Age Checks for Minors

A recently enacted Texas law mandating age verification for app store downloads has been temporarily halted by a federal judge. The App Store Accountability Act, originally slated to go into effect on January 1, 2026, was blocked by a preliminary injunction issued on December 23, 2025. This legislation aimed to ensure that platforms like Apple's App Store and Google Play confirm a user's age before any app download, thereby safeguarding minors from potential online harms.

Following the ruling by US District Judge Robert Pitman, major tech companies, including Apple and Google, announced they would suspend modifications previously prepared to comply with the law. Apple had planned to require users under 18 to join a Family Sharing group, with an adult granting permission for app downloads. The judge noted the law's likely unconstitutionality while acknowledging the importance of child protection efforts.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association, whose members include Apple, Google, and Amazon, had filed a lawsuit in October to contest the act. Texas is reportedly planning to appeal the injunction. Meanwhile, analogous legislation is still scheduled to be implemented in Utah on May 7, 2026, and in Louisiana on July 1, 2026.