United States of America: Issued ruling in public lawsuit against the Social Media Parental Notification Act (NetChoice v Yost)

On 12 February 2024, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Eastern Division issued a ruling in the public lawsuit against the Social Media Parental Notification Act. The Court ruled to grant the motion for a preliminary injunction filed by NetChoice as discussed in a hearing held on 7 February 2024. The lawsuit asserts that the legislation infringes upon constitutional rights and encroaches upon parental authority in caring for their children as they see fit. NetChoice contended that linking one's access and publication of online information to the willingness to upload private records, irrespective of age, is a violation of the First Amendment. The Court ruled the Act to be unconstitutional, with the consequence that the Act cannot be implemented and enforced and that the temporary restraining order remains in place.