United States of America: Supreme Court temporarily blocks Texas HB 20 restricting social media content moderation and user blocking

On 31 May 2022, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of the emergency application by NetChoice LLC and CCIA, temporarily blocking the implementation of Texas House Bill 20 on social media content moderation. The application was filed on 13 May 2022 and requested the Supreme Court to vacate the stay ruled by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on 11 May 2022, which had lifted a previous injunction on Texas House Bill 20, leading to its effect. The Bill limits the ability of social media companies with more than 50 million users to block users and content based on political beliefs and other viewpoints. Furthermore, the companies will be required to disclose the guidelines and rules they apply when they remove content from their platforms and put in place a complaint and appeals process for the removed content. The act also requires the review and removal of illegal content within 48 hours. Individuals residing in Texas will be able to sue the companies if they are censored based on political views or the Attorney General can bring charges on their behalf. This decision from the US Supreme Court comes after plaintiffs challenged the Bill arguing that it violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution due to its vagueness and due process clause violation.