Apple Pauses App Store Changes in Texas After Court Blocks Age Assurance Law

Apple pauses age verification changes in Texas after a federal court blocks the state’s App Store Accountability Act.
Matilda
Apple Pauses App Store Changes in Texas After Court Blocks Age Assurance Law
Apple Halts Texas Age Verification Changes After Court Blocks Law In a swift pivot following a federal court ruling, Apple has paused its planned age verification requirements for Texas App Store users. The move comes just days after a judge blocked enforcement of Texas Senate Bill 2420—also known as the App Store Accountability Act—citing serious First Amendment concerns. Originally set to take effect in January 2026, the law would have forced Apple and Google to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors. Apple confirmed it will hold off on implementing changes in Texas while monitoring the ongoing legal battle. Credit: Google Why Did Apple Reverse Course in Texas? Apple’s decision isn’t out of the blue—it’s a direct response to legal uncertainty. On December 23, 2025, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman issued a preliminary injunction against SB2420, halting its rollout. The court found the law likely violates constitutional protections by compelling speech and imposing bu…