NetChoice, CCIA Challenge Florida Regulating Social Media

Internet industry groups sued Florida over its social media law that makes it unlawful for sites to deplatform political candidates and requires sites to be transparent about policing.

NetChoice and the Computer and Communications Industry Association sued Thursday in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee. Florida's law "infringes on the rights to freedom of speech, equal protection, and due process protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution," exceeds "Florida’s authority under the Constitution’s Commerce Clause and is preempted by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act," the suit said: Stop the law before it takes effect July 1.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed SB-7072 earlier this week despite industry and other critics from both political parties saying it violates the First Amendment. Opponents also questioned the law’s exemption for companies that own theme parks in Florida.

DeSantis's office didn't comment Thursday.