Digital Childhood Alliance Supports Texas AG in Age-Verification Law Case
A coalition of child advocacy groups asked a federal court Wednesday for permission to submit an amicus brief supporting the Texas attorney general in a case against the state’s app store age-verification law.
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The Digital Childhood Alliance (DCA) argues that the law is constitutional, as it “regulates commercial contracts, not speech.” The law “ensures that when companies invite children to download or use apps, they do so under the same consumer protection and contract principles that already apply in the physical marketplace,” said the DCA brief.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) challenged SB-2420, arguing that it infringes on privacy and impedes the First Amendment (see 2510160034 and 2511200039). It requires app stores to verify the age of users, so that kids younger than 18 cannot download certain apps or make in-app purchases without parental consent. It's set to go into effect Jan. 1.
Under SB-2420, “parents are given accurate information about app risks and can consent to contract terms on behalf of their children,” which counters “addresses app developers' ... contracting practices that target minors and the harms to children from Big Tech’s apps.”
The U.S. District Court for Western Texas has set a hearing for 10 a.m. CT on Dec. 16 on a preliminary injunction (see 2511240040).