re: Texas to force social media app to scan user faces, IDs for access

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What is going on in Texas these days? We can't afford for them to become the next large blue state

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it will be eventually. Abbott, nor Trump, are willing to do what it takes to save the American/Texas culture.

This is social law’s verification requirements. Per definition included in the law “App Store” below includes websites and stand alone apps not distributed thru an App Store.

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Sec.A121.024.INFORMATION FOR SOFTWARE APPLICATION DEVELOPERS. The owner of an app store that operates in this state shall, using a commercially available method, allow the developer of a software application to access current information related to:
(1)the age category assigned to each user under Section 121.021(b); and
(2)whether consent has been obtained for each minor user under Section 121.022.


Sec.A121.025.PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA. The owner of an app store that operates in this state shall protect the personal data of users by:
(1) limiting the collection and processing of personal data to the minimum amount necessary for:
(A)verifying the age of an individual;
(B)obtaining consent under Section 121.022; and
(C)maintaining compliance records; and
(2)transmitting personal data using
industry-standard encryption protocols that ensure data integrity and confidentiality.

…The owner of an app store is not liable for a violation of Section 121.021 or 121.022 if the owner of the app store:
(1)uses widely adopted industry standards to:
(A)verify the age of each user as required by Section 121.021; and Section 121.022; and
(B)obtains parental consent as required by
(2)applies those standards consistently and in good faith.

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I am not sure the facial scans or even ID uploads are specifically required for verification, but an ID upload would meet requirements as long as the privacy parts of law and security of data in the law are also met. The law is vague on exact verification process to use. From what I remember this was set up as a consumer protection law towards the companies and not criminal towards anyone, and the users aren’t held accountable for their own work arounds.

Biggest thing with injunction by the judge appears to be blocking adult content for those not verified as being 18 or older while lawsuit is waiting to the actual trial in 2027 as requirements are past due. Other states have filed suits against Discord as they appear to have failed to implement any protections, and the UK is mentioned because Discord has implemented a process there while not doing much in states with adult verification laws. Like in the UK Discord has to implement items mentioned below. Nothing about requiring facial scans or ID uploads.

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Texas secured an injunction requiring Discord to bring its UK-level age verification and safety features to Texas users within 90 days.

Key changes include routing stranger messages to a separate inbox, auto-blocking sensitive content for teens, and restricting adult spaces.

The agreement settles temporary legal relief while Texas's broader consumer protection lawsuit against Discord moves toward a 2027 trial.

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According to the attorney general's office, the protections include routing messages from strangers into a separate request inbox, blocking sensitive content for teenagers unless they are confirmed to be adults and restricting access to adult-only spaces for users whose ages have not been verified.

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https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-forces-discord-implement-uk-style-age-verification-safety-rules

Wouldn't the very first step of protest be to stop using Discord?

How many actually use it?