The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), a lobby group representing major tech companies such as Apple and Google, has filed a lawsuit against Texas over its new age-verification law. The law requires app stores to implement age verification for users and impose restrictions on minors under the age of 18. The CCIA argues that the Texas App Store Accountability Act infringes on the First Amendment by creating a ‘broad censorship regime’ that limits the availability of apps and in-app content for young users. The lawsuit, filed in US District Court for the Western District of Texas, claims that the law violates free speech protections by compelling app developers and stores to enforce age-based restrictions without clear guidelines.
The CCIA’s press release highlights concerns about how the law affects privacy for users. The organization contends that the requirement for age verification and parental consent creates a system that is both invasive and overly broad. According to the lawsuit, the law prohibits app stores from allowing users under 18 to access ‘virtually all apps and software programs’ unless a parent or guardian gives explicit consent. This, the CCIA argues, effectively limits the rights of minors to access a wide range of digital content.
Additionally, the law mandates that developers ‘age-rate’ their applications into subcategories and provide detailed explanations for these classifications. The CCIA criticizes the age-rating system as ‘vague and unworkable,’ suggesting that it lacks the necessary clarity to be implemented consistently. The lawsuit also warns that the law’s requirements for app developers to notify stores of changes to their apps may stifle innovation and creativity in the digital space. The CCIA argues that the law’s provisions could have a chilling effect on the development of new technologies and the availability of innovative products to users.