The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has filed a complaint and intends to file a motion for a preliminary injunction in Texas federal court challenging HB18, which seeks to impose age restrictions on internet usage. The law, scheduled to take effect on September 1, mandates online age verification and parental consent, which CCIA argues violates the First Amendment.

Alongside co-plaintiff NetChoice, CCIA contends that the law's requirements for websites to gather personal information about minors and adults infringe upon free speech rights. This action follows the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on July 1, 2024, regarding HB20—Texas’s 2021 social media law—which also raised First Amendment concerns and was sent back to lower courts for further review.

CCIA Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff Stephanie Joyce stated: "Texas HB18 violates websites’ ability to distribute protected speech and prevents younger internet users from accessing valuable information. Our argument is based on well-established federal law, including recent decisions blocking similar laws from other states. At a time when Americans’ access to online information is at a premium, laws like HB18 will restrict the ability of both minors and adults to get online while also putting their privacy at risk. CCIA members remain committed to child online safety and for years have invested significant resources toward that goal. We look forward to demonstrating in court why this law is unconstitutional."