Tech groups ask judge to block new Florida law banning social media for teens

Internet companies are asking a federal judge in Tallahassee to block Florida from enforcing a new law that bans teenagers from using social media.

The companies — under the auspices of two trade organizations — filed a request for a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, a day after they filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court seeking to overturn the new law. The challenge had been expected since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law into law in March.

The law was expected to take effect in January. The judge scheduled a hearing next week to begin hearing arguments in the case.

The law prohibits anyone under 16 in Florida from using some social media sites, but allows 14- and 15-year-olds to use online services with parental permission. It also requires companies that “knowingly and intentionally” post or distribute material harmful to minors, or platforms that contain a significant portion of material harmful to minors, to verify the age of each user.

Violation of the law can result in fines of up to $50,000.

Two Internet groups, NetChoice and the Computer and Communications Industry Association, filed the lawsuit this week in Tallahassee. Their members include the companies that operate most of the popular social media services, including X, Meta, Snap and Pinterest.

Republican lawmakers who passed the law said they believed it would withstand a legal battle. NetChoice said after DeSantis signed the bill that a legal challenge was imminent.

“In a country that values ​​the First Amendment, the desired response is to allow parents to decide what language and means of communication their minor children can access, including using the many tools available to monitor their online activity,” the groups wrote in their lawsuit. .

The lawsuit also says Florida’s new law is vague, making it difficult for companies to comply.

“Unless invalidated and enjoined, this act will unlawfully deprive Plaintiffs’ members and Internet users of their fundamental First Amendment and due process rights and will cause irreparable harm to Plaintiffs, their members, and their members’ users,” the lawsuit states. .

CCIA is an international not-for-profit trade association that represents a wide range of communications and technology firms, including Google and Apple. The association is actively involved in litigation, lobbying and public debate on digital rights, intellectual property, privacy and internet freedom.

NetChoice is a trade association for online businesses whose mission is to “make the Internet safe for free enterprise and free expression,” according to its website. NetChoice has many associate members, including X and Amazon.com.

The Florida court battle underscores the ongoing national debate over the regulation of online broadcasting and the suppression of social media platforms. Florida previously banned TikTok from public universities and colleges, as well as public schools.

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