The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed Texas to enforce a new law requiring app stores to verify users' ages and restrict access for minors. Apple and Google had planned to comply but raised privacy concerns.

The Texas App Store Accountability Act mandates that app stores implement a "commercially reasonable method of verification" for users' ages. This law specifically aims to protect children from content deemed objectionable by the state. A district court initially applied strict scrutiny, believing the law was content-based.

However, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, ruling that the law primarily regulates commercial transactions, subjecting it to intermediate scrutiny. This lower level of review suggests the law is likely permissible if it serves governmental interests unrelated to suppressing speech and doesn't overly burden expression. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated the law is necessary to protect children's data, safety, and privacy.