CCIA

Supreme Court Allows Texas App-Store Age-Verification Law

The US Supreme Court declined to block a Texas law that requires app stores and developers to verify the ages of mobile users and obtain parental consent for minors to download apps or make purchases. The court rejected emergency requests from the Computer & Communications Industry Association (whose members include Apple and Google) and others, leaving the law in effect while First Amendment litigation continues. A federal judge had previously granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Texas App Store Accountability Act, but the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put that injunction on hold on June 4, allowing the law to take effect during ongoing court proceedings. The ruling marks a significant step in a broader global trend toward tighter online-safety rules for children.

Tech Giants Rally Against Pentagon's Supply Chain Risk Label

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and several other tech trade groups have sent letters to U.S. officials expressing concern about the Defense Department’s decision to label an American AI company as a "supply chain risk to national security." The ITI — whose members include Nvidia, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Anthropic — argued such emergency designations are typically reserved for foreign adversaries and cited procedural protections in the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA). The Pentagon announced the designation after the company failed to reach terms with the Defense Department over a procurement dispute; that company is widely reported to be Anthropic, which previously received a $200 million DoD contract and had sought assurances limiting military uses of its technology. Other industry groups sent similar letters to President Trump. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said his company reached an agreement with the Defense Department and warned that enforcing the designation would be harmful to the industry.

Google Fights DOJ in Ad Trial; Disney Merger Cleared

ExchangeWire’s latest edition covers two major threads in AdTech this week. First, Google’s ad stack trial against the DOJ saw the company object to the proposed witness list, arguing several witnesses lack personal knowledge and seeking to limit testimony. The report also details newly filed documents describing Google’s incentive programs for agencies and advertisers, including DVIP Upfronts, Agency Capability Fund, and KPI Deals, with May 2018 documents outlining expected payout figures for these initiatives. The DOJ also alleges Google destroyed relevant evidence ahead of the trial. In the APAC region, Disney and Reliance’s merger won clearance from the Competition Commission of India, potentially creating the country’s largest entertainment player by pooling Indian assets, while critics had previously raised antitrust concerns over cricket broadcasting control. The article rounds up other MadTech daily items and related industry context.