Supreme Court denies Apple's pause on Texas age verification law

The US Supreme Court has denied a request to pause enforcement of a Texas law requiring age verification for app store users, meaning Apple must continue the process for iPhone users in the state.

Texas law mandates age checks and parental consent for app downloads. The legislation requires app stores to verify whether users are 18 or older when creating new accounts. It also demands parental consent for minors before they can download, purchase, or continue using existing apps. The law took effect at the start of this year and applies to both app store operators like Apple and Google as well as developers.

Apple can perform some verifications automatically in certain cases. Developers must determine the age range of their app users to stay compliant, and Apple supplies tools to assist them.

Industry group sought suspension while challenging constitutionality. A trade body that includes both Apple and Google asked the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to suspend enforcement of the law during its effort to have the statute declared unconstitutional. After that request was rejected, the Computer & Communications Industry Association escalated the matter to the US Supreme Court. The court issued a one-sentence ruling denying the application on Monday.

The full text of the ruling reads: "The application to vacate stay presented to Justice Alito and by him referred to the Court is denied." This allows Texas to continue enforcing its age verification requirements for now.

Apple opposed the measure at the highest levels. The iPhone maker has strongly opposed the law. Tim Cook personally lobbied Texas Governor Greg Abbott on the issue. Apple remains part of the ongoing legal effort to reverse the statute.

Legal battle is expected to continue. The denial does not resolve the underlying challenge to the law's constitutionality. Apple and other parties are still seeking to have it overturned. The Supreme Court action simply maintains the status quo while litigation proceeds.