11th Circuit blocks major provisions of Florida’s social media law

Though the court struck down the most controversial aspects of the law, it did rule that some provisions could stand, including that people banned from the platforms should be able to access their data for 60 days.

Tech groups ask Supreme Court to block Texas social media law

The decision stated that tech companies’ content moderation decisions are protected by the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from regulating free speech.

“Taking stock: We conclude that social media platforms’ content-moderation activities — permitting, removing, prioritizing, and deprioritizing users and posts — constitute ‘speech’ within the meaning of the First Amendment,” the court wrote.

The ruling comes after a surprise decision earlier this month by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that allowed a Texas law that bans companies from discriminating against people based on viewpoint to come into force. Tech companies have filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court to block that law.

Federal judge blocks Florida law that would penalize social media companies