A federal appeals court has suspended a law in Texas that prohibits certain forms of content moderation on social media.
A federal appeals court has suspended a Texas law banning certain forms of social media content moderation, while a trade group representing industry giants is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review its challenge.
Although the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals previously upheld the Texas law and said it could be implemented, the court granted a request from the social media platforms on Wednesday in late September to block enforcement of the measure as they appeal. against the case in the High Court. .
Internet publishers, including Meta Platforms Inc. and Twitter Inc., argued that they expected the U.S. Supreme Court to agree to their objection and that there is a “significant possibility” that the judges will find the Texas law unconstitutional.
The law prohibits social media companies with more than 50 million users from discriminating based on point of view. Tech groups have opposed the law, arguing that it is unconstitutional and prevents platforms from removing hate speech and extremism.
The social media companies claim they will have to spend billions of dollars making changes to content moderation on their platforms if the law goes into effect, asking the appeals court to uphold the status quo as the case continues.
Texas previously agreed to the delay, assuming the media groups would appeal soon. A similar law in Florida is currently on hold pending possible Supreme Court review
The case is Netchoice v Paxton, 21-51178, US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (New Orleans).
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