In the eleventh hour, the Texas App Store Accountability Act (SB 2420) has been enjoined. 

As a brief refresher, Texas passed the App Store Accountability Act this last May, a law aimed at both app stores and app developers. Among other things, the law would have required app stores to verify the age of their users and, upon request by app developers, transmit age signals indicating a user’s age range. The law also would have prohibited users under the age of 18 from accessing apps or making purchases through app stores without parental consent. In response to Texas SB 2420, Apple and Google introduced new APIs designed to address these obligations ahead of the law’s January 1, 2026 effective date.

As enforcement drew closer, Texas SB 2420 was challenged by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA). On December 16, 2025, the parties appeared before the court to address CCIA’s motion to enjoin the law on the grounds that it violates the First Amendment. On December 23, 2025, the court sided with CCIA, granting its motion and enjoining the Texas SB 2420 in its entirety.

“The Act is akin to a law that would require every bookstore to verify the age of every customer at the door and, for minors, require parental consent before the child or teen could enter and again when they try to purchase a book," the Court noted in its Order. "As set out below, the Court finds a likelihood that, when considered on the merits, SB 2420 violates the First Amendment.”

Now, with the Texas law enjoined, app stores and app developers can breathe easier going into this new year. Enforcement is effectively paused, and the remaining App Store Accountability Acts—most notably those in Utah and Louisiana—are likely to face similar constitutional challenges, and potentially similar injunctions, on the same grounds. However, California's age verification law has some notable differences from Texas SB 2420, meaning it may have the best chance to survive a challenge.

Not a bad way for app stores and developers to ring in the new year. We are tracking these court updates and any new guidance from the App Stores closely.