Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, arguing that Texas’s SB2420, the “App Store Accountability Act,” violates the First Amendment in multiple ways, and that as a result, the preliminary injunction should remain in place.
CCIA challenged Texas’ app store law because it imposes government controls over protected speech and access to lawful information through age verification and parental consent requirements and because it compels speech in the form of age ratings.
Federal District Court Judge Robert Pitman blocked Texas’ app store law on December 23, 2025, concluding that it likely violates the First Amendment and must not be enforced. Texas appealed that preliminary injunction and filed its brief in May. Today’s filing by CCIA presents the Association’s position on why SB2420’s limits violate the First Amendment rights of app stores, app developers, parents, and children.
CCIA’s suit was accompanied by a parallel lawsuit by Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT). The student group also filed a brief, which argues that SB2420 is unconstitutional from the perspectives of users, including students, families, and nonprofits. CCIA has asked the 5th Circuit to expedite oral arguments.
In a related procedural development, earlier this month, the Fifth Circuit granted Texas’s request to stay – or lift – the injunction, allowing the law to take effect. CCIA filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court asking for the injunction to be reimposed while the Fifth Circuit determines the constitutionality of the law.
The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Matt Schruers:
“The district court was correct to block this Texas law. Users should not have to provide ID to access information and applications, but Texas would require just that. The First Amendment protects the rights of software distributors and developers to disseminate lawful speech to users, who have an equal right to access it.”
