TX SB2421

Requires manufacturers of smartphones and tablets manufactured on or after January 1, 2026, to automatically enable obscene content filters on devices activated in Texas when the user is identified as a minor (under 18)

Manufacturers face civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation or $50,000 maximum; parents/guardians can sue manufacturers for actual damages or $50,000 if damages cannot be determined, plus punitive damages for knowing violations

Creates a criminal offense for non-parents who circumvent, modify, remove, or uninstall a minor's content filter without parental permission—Class A misdemeanor for first offense, state jail felony for subsequent offenses

Parents/guardians can sue non-parents who tamper with their child's filter for $1,000 in damages plus court costs and attorney's fees

Exempts telecommunications providers and retailers from the requirements; allows parents/guardians to use a password to enable or disable the filter at any time