Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association is raising concerns about SB 2420, a Texas proposal that would require online platforms to implement age verification and introduce new legal liabilities. While CCIA agrees with the importance of protecting children online, the Association urges lawmakers to consider the practical and constitutional implications of this approach.
The bill would require platforms to use tools such as facial age estimation or to collect sensitive personal information such as driver’s licenses. But experts have noted that facial estimation technology can produce inconsistent results across demographics, and collecting additional data raises significant privacy concerns for families. Age verification requirements can also restrict access for users who cannot easily verify their age, including older teens without IDs or individuals from underserved communities. At the same time, the bill would allow for private lawsuits with limited guardrails, which could open the door to costly litigation even when no real harm has occurred.
Several laws implementing similar requirements in other states have already been paused or blocked by courts due to First Amendment and privacy issues.
The following statement can be attributed to Tom Mann, State Policy Manager for CCIA:
“We all want to keep kids safe online, but it’s important that policies reflect how the technology actually works. This bill relies on age estimation tools that still have substantial gaps in accuracy – and when those tools don’t work, families are left having to hand over personal data instead. Pair that with a broad right to sue, and Texas families and small businesses could face serious consequences if this legislation were to be enacted. Texas lawmakers should take a more balanced path that protects children while safeguarding privacy and upholding constitutional protections.”
