Supreme Court won't block Texas from enforcing a law requiring age verification for app downloads

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Supreme Court won't block Texas from enforcing a law requiring age verification for app downloads

Associated Press
Mon, July 6, 2026 at 3:47 PM EDT
1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to block Texas from enforcing a state law that requires apps stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors seeking to download apps or make in-app purchases on mobile phones.

Justice Samuel Alito, in a pair of one-sentence orders, denied petitions by plaintiffs who claim that the Texas App Store Accountability Act violates users' constitutional rights to free speech.

Last month, a three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the law can take effect. The panel suspended a district court's ruling last December that the law is unconstitutional.

The plaintiffs suing to block the law include the Computer & Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is a defendant in both cases.

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Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/supreme-court-wont-block-texas-194732187.html

[Srkdqltr]

1. I don't know how this can be verified? Anyone can download apps if asked for an age any age can be used.

[Eugene]

2. Users are carded electronically. Users need to provide a govt-issued ID or submit to an AI face scan.

The user submits their state ID to a central database and obtains a digital ID. Adult websites ask the user to provide a webcam selfie which can be check against the database. App stores will likely follow this method.

Alternatively, the age check an do an AI-based age estimation of the user's face.

It is important to note that age verification databases can be breached and underage users have figured out how to fool AI face scans.

[Srkdqltr]

3. Ok, i did not know that. Except, anything can be faked now. Sad.

[MichMan]

4. I don't understand the argument that some will figure out how to circumvent it

People have used fake id to buy alcohol for years, but that doesn't mean there shouldn't be age limits.

When I was teenager, you had to work hard to get access to porn. Magazines like Penthouse were obtained from someones older brothers collection, cherished. and passed around among friends. Not like today when any 10 year old can access hard core graphic stuff.