United States of America: Issued injunction against Utah Minor Protection in Social Media Act (SB 194)

On 10 September 2024, the United States District Court for the District of Utah issued a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the Utah Minor Protection in Social Media Act, enacted through SB 152 (2023) and subsequently amended by SB 194 (2024). NetChoice, a trade association representing internet companies such as Google and Meta, initiated legal proceedings arguing that the legislation contravenes the First Amendment by imposing content-based restrictions on online platforms. The Zoulek Plaintiffs, a group of Utah minors, also challenged the Act on the grounds that it infringed their rights to access and disseminate information. The Court determined that NetChoice is likely to succeed on its claim that the Act violates the First Amendment, concluding that the restrictions were content-based, failed strict scrutiny, and were not narrowly tailored to achieve the State’s interest in protecting minors. Accordingly, the Court issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the Act, now in its amended form under SB 194. The Court denied the Zoulek Plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction due to insufficient standing, dismissing their claims without prejudice. The injunction halts the enforcement of the Act’s age verification and parental consent provisions pending a final resolution of the case.