Federal judge halts Mississippi’s requirement for age verification on websites

A federal judge in Mississippi blocked a law that would require age verification for digital sites, citing concerns over limiting access to online speech. The law was intended to protect children from explicit material, but tech industry group NetChoice argued it could restrict access to information. The group has successfully challenged similar laws in other states. In response, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch argued that age verification could prevent various harms against children. The judge ruled that the law did not simply regulate non-expressive conduct and could undermine privacy and free speech. NetChoice has also sued Utah over laws restricting children’s access to social media, leading to revisions requiring age verification but removing parental consent requirements. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of balancing child protection with free speech and privacy concerns in the digital age.

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