The Supreme Court on Monday decided that Texas can continue enforcing its age verification statute for now. The measure requires app stores to confirm minors ages and obtain parental consent before allowing app downloads or in-app purchases.

The Texas App Store Accountability Act signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2025 faces two separate legal challenges. Plaintiffs include the Consumer and Communications Industry Association a tech trade group with members such as Apple and Google and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas a student group that relies on apps for civic education.

In a brief order Justice Samuel Alito denied the request to pause the law during litigation. Similar to earlier disputes over age verification this outcome affects comparable bills in other states and represents a setback for free speech advocates seeking to halt them.

Age verification has emerged as a common yet debated approach to protect children online. The aim is for tech companies to know user ages so they can prevent exposure to unsuitable content.

Free speech experts caution that requiring government ID to verify age carries risks. Users without official identification may lose access unnecessarily and concerns exist about companies sharing personal data with governments that could suppress speech.

Matthew Schruers president of the Consumer and Communications Industry Association stated that people should not have to provide personal data for internet access any more than they should show identification to enter a bookstore.

On July 1 the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the law to remain enforceable during the case. The Supreme Court declined to intervene so the law stays in effect in Texas with an expedited hearing expected in the Fifth Circuit in early August.

Cameron Samuels executive director of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas said the decision prevents Texans from using everyday apps until a final ruling.

In the name of protecting children and empowering parents the App Store Accountability Act burdens constitutional rights without holding technology companies accountable as Texas intends Samuels told CNET.

The Texas attorney general office did not respond immediately to a request for comment.