Supreme Court permits Texas to limit minors' app store access.

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for Texas’ App Store Accountability Act to take effect, allowing the state’s requirement that minors obtain parental permission before downloading most mobile applications to be enforced while related lawsuits proceed in lower courts. The decision, issued without comment, means the law will be operational across the state despite ongoing legal challenges filed by technology companies and consumer‑rights groups.

The Texas legislation, passed in 2023, mandates that app distributors verify a parent or guardian’s consent for users under 18 before granting access to the majority of apps, with limited exceptions for educational or health‑related software. Critics argue the rule imposes burdens on developers and may conflict with federal regulations, while supporters contend it protects children from inappropriate content and data collection. As the lower‑court cases continue, the Supreme Court’s temporary approval ensures the parental‑permission framework will be applied statewide pending final judicial resolution.