A federal judge has allowed a legal challenge against Florida's social media rationing law, HB3, to proceed by granting a preliminary injunction. This decision blocks parts of the law from being implemented until the full case is heard. The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and its co-plaintiff NetChoice filed an amended complaint and renewed motion for this injunction in March, arguing that HB3 restricts free speech protected by the Constitution.
Chief Judge Walker stated: "[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."
Matt Schruers, President and CEO of CCIA, commented on the ruling: “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.”