A federal judge has declared an Arkansas law requiring social media platforms to verify users’ ages unconstitutional. The law, aimed at protecting minors online, was passed in 2021 but has faced legal challenges from tech companies and free speech advocates.
U.S. District Judge Susan Hickey ruled that the law violated the First Amendment rights of social media users by restricting their ability to access and use online platforms. The law required social media companies to use age-verification tools to ensure that users are at least 18 years old before allowing them to create accounts.
Critics of the law argued that it would disproportionately impact marginalized communities who may have difficulty accessing the necessary documentation to verify their age online. They also raised concerns about the potential for censorship and infringement on free speech rights.
In her ruling, Judge Hickey stated that the law was not narrowly tailored to achieve the state’s interest in protecting minors, and that there were less restrictive ways to address the issue of online safety. She also noted that the law would likely have a chilling effect on free speech and expression on social media platforms.
The decision is a victory for tech companies and free speech advocates who have been fighting against the law since it was first proposed. The ruling sets a precedent for similar laws in other states and sends a clear message that efforts to regulate social media platforms must be done in a way that upholds constitutional rights.
The state of Arkansas has not yet announced whether it will appeal the decision. In the meantime, social media users in Arkansas can continue to access and use their accounts without age verification requirements.
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