Federal Judge Blocks Texas App Store Accountability Act

A federal court has granted a preliminary injunction blocking Texas Senate Bill 2420, the App Store Accountability Act, to prevent the law from being enforced while litigation continues.

U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman ruled that the statute is likely unconstitutional, finding it vague, overly broad, and in violation of First Amendment protections for app stores and app developers.

The law, which was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, would have imposed age-verification requirements, mandated parental consent for minors to download apps or make in-app purchases, and required app stores and developers to comply with a new regulatory framework governing access to digital content.

In October, the Computer & Communication Industry Association (CCIA) filed suit against the State of Texas, arguing that SB 2420 created an unlawful compelled speech regime and restricted constitutionally protected expression.

Judge Pitman agreed with those arguments, concluding that the law likely infringes on free speech rights.

"This Order stops the Texas App Store Accountability Act from taking effect to preserve the First Amendment rights of app stores, app developers, parents, and younger internet users," said Stephanie Joyce, CCIA's Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff, and Director of the organization's Litigation Center.

She added that the ruling protects parents' ability to determine how to best manage their children's online activity using existing tools.

Supporters of the legislation have argued that the law is necessary to protect children navigating social media and digital marketplaces, while critics maintain that its provisions would restrict lawful speech and impose sweeping compliance burdens.

In his ruling, Judge Pitman stated that portions of the statute are "unconstitutionally vague" and "exceedingly overbroad," siding with opponents who warned the law would function as a restraint on protected speech.

The injunction halts the enforcement of the App Store Accountability Act until the court reaches a final decision on the merits of the case.