Washington – A federal judge has ruled that a case against Florida’s social media rationing law, HB3, can proceed. The court has granted a preliminary injunction to block parts of it from being implemented until he can hear the full legal challenge. The Computer & Communications Industry Association, along with its co-plaintiff NetChoice, had filed an amended complaint and renewed motion for a preliminary injunction in March to block parts of Florida’s HB3 that would restrict protected free speech in violation of the Constitution.
According to Chief Judge Walker: “[L]ike other district courts around the country, this Court simply recognizes that the First Amendment places stringent requirements on the State to avoid substantially burdening speech unless the State can show that doing so is necessary to achieve its significant interests.”
The following can be attributed to CCIA President and CEO Matt Schruers:
“This ruling vindicates our argument that Florida’s statute violates the First Amendment by blocking and restricting minors—and likely adults as well—from using certain websites to view lawful content. We look forward to seeing this statute permanently blocked as a violation of Floridians’ constitutional right to engage in lawful speech online.”
