Utah’s social media law aimed at protecting online privacy of teens, limiting their use of platforms, was blocked by a federal judge claiming that it’s unconstitutional.
The Social Media Regulation Act, SB 194 has faced legal challenges regarding its constitutionality since the bill was proposed. This law would require social media companies to verify the age of users and apply privacy settings to limit certain features on those accounts.
The Utah Legislature passed SMRA in March to replace 2023 laws that were challenged as unconstitutional. Officials believed the 2024 act would hold up in court.
The law was set to take effect Oct. 1, but will be blocked based on the order from U.S. District Court Judge Robert Shelby. In his ruling, Shelby acknowledged the state’s “earnest desire to protect young people” from the challenges associated with social media use.
“Owing to the First Amendment’s paramount place in our democratic system, even well-intentioned legislation that regulates speech based on content must satisfy a tremendously high level of constitutional scrutiny,” the ruling states.
Shelby shared that Utah’s social media laws have yet to withstand that scrutiny. Gov. Spencer Cox said he was disappointed with the decision, but shared on X that, “we always knew that this could be a long battle. And it is a battle worth waging.”
The case filed by NetChoice asserts, “while their effort was well-intentioned, the path they chose violates the constitutional rights of all Utahns, their children and their businesses.” The U.S. District Court granted NetChoice’s request and the Litigation Center has obtained injunctions temporarily halting laws in six states.
“Let’s be clear: social media companies could voluntarily, at this very moment, do everything that the law put in place to protect our children. But they refuse to do so,” shared Cox. “Instead, they continue to prioritize their profits over our children’s wellbeing. This must stop, and Utah will continue to lead the fight.”
Shelby’s ruling has halted SB 194 from being enforced, pending the outcome of the NetChoice case.
Author: Anna Mower
Photo courtesy of SUU
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