In May 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the so-called App Store Accountability Act (SB 2420), which is expected to take effect next January 1, 2026. However, recent events could change its start date. This law aims to protect children in app stores like the App Store or Google Play, where, once the law comes into effect, users will have to verify their age, classify themselves as Child, Young Teen, Older Teen, or Adult, and have parental control when children are under 18.
However, currently, the Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, has been faced with two federal lawsuits filed by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT). This lawsuit alleges that the law violates the First Amendment of the Constitution regarding freedom of speech, as well as violations of user privacy in Texas. On December 16, 2025, federal judge Robert Pitman heard both parties in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, where he considered the motion “under advisement,” needing a few days to make a decision.
Senate Bill 2420, App Store Accountability Act
In May of this year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2420, the App Store Accountability Act, which is expected to take effect on January 1, 2026. This law aims to protect minors by implementing stricter controls over their access to mobile applications. From the date it comes into effect, compliance with three aspects will be mandatory:
- Verify the user’s age. The app store must know how old you are before you download anything (even if it’s a weather or sports app).
- Classify users into 4 groups: You will be labeled as: Children, Young Teens, Older Teens, or Adults.
- Parental control. If the user is under 18, the account must be linked to a parent’s account. They would need to give permission for every download or purchase that is attempted.
Suspension of the effective date
Currently, the effective date of this law is uncertain, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been faced with two federal lawsuits attempting to halt its implementation. These lawsuits come from a group representing tech giants under the name Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), and from a group of students, along with two Texas teenagers and their families, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT). Both lawsuits present two main arguments against the provisions of Senate Bill 2420:
- Freedom of speech: They claim that the law violates the First Amendment because it prevents people from freely accessing information based on their age.
- Privacy: They argue that to verify your age, companies would have to store very private data from all users in Texas, which is risky.
What is the current situation?
Following these lawsuits, a hearing was held on December 16, 2025, presided over by Federal Judge Robert Pitman in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. At the hearing, the judge listened to both sides and took the motion under consideration, which indicates that he will need a few days to make a final decision. In the event that Pitman does not rule before January 1, 2026, the law will begin to function normally, and downloading an app in Texas, if you are a minor, will be much more difficult and tightly controlled.
Frequently asked questions
What does Texas law SB 2420 consist of?
Signed by Greg Abbott, this law requires app stores to verify users’ ages and classify them into four groups. If you are under 18, your parents must approve every download or purchase as mandatory.
Why is its implementation being challenged?
Groups like CCIA and SEAT sued Attorney General Ken Paxton, claiming that the law violates freedom of speech (First Amendment) and endangers privacy by forcing companies to store sensitive personal data of all users.
What will happen on January 1, 2026?
It depends on Judge Robert Pitman, who after the December 16 hearing left the decision “under consideration.” If the judge does not issue an order to suspend it before that date, the law will automatically go into effect on New Year’s Day.