Calif. AG, NetChoice Respond to Temporary Injunction on Kids Social Media Bill
The California attorney general defended a law regulating addictive social media feeds for minors after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a temporary motion for injunctive relief on it Tuesday (see 2501280074). The 9th Circuit on Wednesday scheduled oral argument for April 2 at 9 a.m. in Phoenix.
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“SB 976 is about protecting children and giving families a choice over the relationship they want to create with social media, not limiting speech,” the AG office said in an emailed statement. “The California Department of Justice remains confident in our case and is committed to vigorously defending this commonsense statute.”
NetChoice, however, celebrated the temporary injunction in a press release following the court’s decision. “This law has serious implications for Californians’ First Amendment and digital privacy rights," said Paul Taske, NetChoice associate director-litigation. "NetChoice looks forward to stopping yet another online censorship regime from California’s government.”
NetChoice sued AG Rob Bonta (D) over the bill, alleging that it undermines free speech and privacy principles, leaving Californians at risk of data breaches and identity theft (see 2501060009). The 9th Circuit said the AG is enjoined from enforcing SB-976 while the appeal is pending.