Apple and Meta challenge Texas social media age verification laws in court brief

Apple and WhatsApp filed a joint amicus brief on Thursday challenging Texas age verification laws that would require social media platforms to verify users' ages before granting access. The companies argue the regulations violate First Amendment protections and create significant privacy risks. The brief supports a coalition of social media companies seeking to block enforcement of the Texas laws, which mandate age verification for users under 18 and require parental consent for platform access. Similar legislation has passed in multiple states as policymakers seek to limit youth social media usage. Apple and Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, contend that the verification requirements would force platforms to collect sensitive user data, potentially exposing minors to greater privacy risks rather than protecting them. The brief cites concerns about data breaches and the creation of centralized databases containing children's personal information. The filing comes as federal courts weigh competing decisions on state social media regulations. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on related cases this term that could establish precedent for how states may regulate platform access. Industry groups have consistently opposed state-level age verification mandates, arguing they impose technical burdens while failing to address underlying concerns about online safety.