A federal judge in Arkansas has blocked the enforcement of a law that required social media sites to verify the ages of their users. U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks ruled that the law, known as the Social Media Safety Act, was unconstitutional as it violated the First Amendment by imposing content-based restrictions on speech and due process rights. The law required users to provide identification to verify their age and minors to obtain parental consent to use social media. NetChoice, a trade association representing online companies, brought the lawsuit against Arkansas, arguing that the law was an attempt to restrict new forms of expression. Judge Brooks cited Supreme Court rulings that established the First Amendment protections for social media users. As a result of the ruling, the State of Arkansas is prohibited from enforcing the law. Attorney General Tim Griffin stated that he respected the court’s decision and his office is evaluating their options. Further updates on the ruling are expected.
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