Big Tech Sues Texas, Says Age-Verification Law Is 'Broad Censorship Regime'

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Texas is being sued by a Big Tech lobby group over the state's new law that will require app stores to verify users' ages and impose restrictions on users under 18. 'The Texas App Store Accountability Act imposes a broad censorship regime on the entire universe of mobile apps,' the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) said yesterday in a lawsuit (PDF). 'In a misguided attempt to protect minors, Texas has decided to require proof of age before anyone with a smartphone or tablet can download an app. Anyone under 18 must obtain parental consent for every app and in-app purchase they try to download -- from ebooks to email to entertainment.'

The CCIA said in a press release that the law violates the First Amendment by imposing 'a sweeping age-verification, parental consent, and compelled speech regime on both app stores and app developers.' When app stores determine that a user is under 18, 'the law prohibits them from downloading virtually all apps and software programs and from making any in-app purchases unless their parent consents and is given control over the minor's account,' the CCIA said. 'Minors who are unable to link their accounts with a parent's or guardian's, or who do not receive permission, would be prohibited from accessing app store content.'

The law requires app developers 'to 'age-rate' their content into several subcategories and explain their decision in detail,' and 'notify app stores in writing every time they improve or modify the functions, features, or user experience of their apps,' the group said. The lawsuit says the age-rating system relies on a 'vague and unworkable set of age categories.' 'Our Constitution forbids this,' the lawsuit said. 'None of our laws require businesses to 'card' people before they can enter bookstores and shopping malls. The First Amendment prohibits such oppressive laws as much in cyberspace as it does in the physical world.' The lawsuit was filed in US District Court for the Western District of Texas. CCIA members include Apple and Google, which have both said the law would reduce privacy for app users. The companies recently described their plans to comply, saying they would take steps to minimize the privacy risks.

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