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Supreme Court allows Texas to require age verification for mobile apps
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- The Supreme Court allowed Texas to enforce a law requiring mobile app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors installing apps, responding to concerns about online safety for children.
- The law, opposed by the computer industry and student groups on First Amendment grounds, was permitted without explanation or noted dissents, allowing enforcement while litigation continues.
- The Computer & Communications Industry Association warned the law could restrict minors' access to a wide range of content, potentially impacting digital speech protections.
- This decision follows a similar Supreme Court allowance last year for Mississippi's law requiring age verification on social media platforms, despite concerns over constitutionality.
- The ruling leaves in place a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that had stayed a lower court's block on Texas' law, broadening age verification requirements to all apps available in the state.
