A federal judge in Mississippi has issued a preliminary injunction blocking a law that would require users of websites and digital services to verify their age. The law, which was set to take effect on the day of the ruling, was aimed at protecting children from explicit content online. However, a tech industry group sued the state, arguing that the law would infringe on free speech rights for both minors and adults.
The judge’s decision to block the law was based on the principle that any law dealing with speech is subject to strict scrutiny, regardless of the government’s intent. The group challenging the law, NetChoice, represents major tech companies like Google, Snap Inc., and Meta, and has successfully blocked similar laws in other states.
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch argued that the law was necessary to protect children from harmful online content, but the judge was not convinced that it only regulated non-expressive conduct. NetChoice has also filed lawsuits against other states with similar laws, including Utah, where revisions were made to require social media companies to verify users’ ages without parental consent.
In a statement, NetChoice emphasized the importance of privacy and free speech online, stating that mandating age and identity verification would undermine these principles. The ruling has sparked a debate over the balance between protecting children from harm and preserving First Amendment rights in the digital age.
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