Supreme Court Allows Texas Age-Verification App Law

The Supreme Court announced this week that it will not intervene in ongoing legal challenges to a Texas app store law, allowing the state to proceed with enforcing its age-verification requirements. This decision permits Texas to implement the law while a lawsuit contesting its constitutionality continues.

Initially, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in December 2025, blocking the Texas App Store Accountability Act. US District Judge Robert Pitman determined that the law likely violated the First Amendment and prevented its enforcement, which was slated to begin on January 1, 2026. However, this injunction was later stayed by the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit on June 4. The 5th Circuit panel found "no legitimate justification for enjoining enforcement of the entire Act."

Following the 5th Circuit's decision, a coalition of Big Tech companies, represented by a lobby group, and a student advocacy group petitioned the Supreme Court to reinstate the injunction. Their request sought to halt the law's enforcement pending further legal review. The Supreme Court's decision not to grant this request means the law can be enforced as the legal battle progresses.