The law aims to prevent social media companies from banning users based on their political views, even if the user violates the platform’s policies.
If left as is, companies’ legal enforcement power may be weakened. own rules and Changing free speech online.
“These cases potentially huge, huge range” said Scott Wilkens, senior counsel at the Knight First Amendment Institute.
“This is the first time the Supreme Court will actually consider the First Amendment rights of social media platforms and, by extension, the shape and contours of free speech online.”
The two laws were passed in 2021 as part of a growing Republican backlash against the way social media companies enforce policies that lead to bans and suspensions of conservative figures.
The outrage escalated further when mainstream platforms became: Twitter, now Xand meta, parent company of facebook and instagramblocked the account of former president trump in response to comments about the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
Under new ownership of Elon Musk Twitter restored access to Trump’s account in November 2022. Meta lifted its ban on Trump in January 2023.
“Online services have a well-established First Amendment right to host, curate and share content,” NetChoice litigation director Chris Marchese said after filing the case in high court.
“The Internet is an important platform for free expression, and it must be free from: government censorship”
Read the full report and coverage of the discussion on TheHill.com on Monday.