Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
NetChoice sues New York over social media warning-label law
NetChoice sued New York on Nov 13 to stop a state law requiring warnings on some social media platforms.
The internet trade group says the law violates the First Amendment, which protects free speech in the US.
The law applies to platforms with features such as infinite scrolling, auto-play and algorithmic feeds, and requires a warning about possible mental health harms from excessive use.
The warnings would appear when users sign on and after several hours, according to NetChoice, which says they interrupt access to protected speech.
The law was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul last December and is intended to warn about potential harm to younger users.
It is scheduled to take effect on Jan 1, but the lawsuit seeks to block it before then.
NetChoice has also challenged similar rules in California, while Colorado is appealing a court ruling that blocked its law.
NetChoice sued New York on Nov 13, seeking to block a state law requiring warning labels on some social media platforms.
The trade group argues that the law violates the First Amendment by forcing platforms to convey the state’s message about online safety.
The law covers platforms with features including infinite scrolling, autoplay and algorithmic feeds, and requires warnings about potential harm to younger users.
New York Attorney General Letitia James’s office declined immediate comment.
The law is scheduled to take effect on Jan 1.
- Who
- NetChoice, an internet trade group, sued New York.
- What
- It is seeking to block a law requiring warning labels on some social media platforms, arguing that the law violates the First Amendment.
- When
- NetChoice filed the lawsuit on Nov 13. The law is scheduled to take effect on Jan 1.
- Where
- New York; the complaint was filed in federal court.
- Why
- NetChoice says the law compels its members to convey the state’s preferred message about online safety.
NetChoice
New York
Constitutionality
NetChoice
NetChoice says the law violates the First Amendment by compelling platforms to convey the state’s message.
New York
New York’s law requires covered platforms to display warnings; the state attorney general’s office declined immediate comment.
Warnings
NetChoice
NetChoice says repeated warnings interrupt users and block access to protected speech.
New York
The law requires warnings about potential harm to younger users on platforms with specified features.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed the New York law.
A federal judge blocked a similar Colorado law, and Colorado is appealing the decision.
NetChoice filed a similar lawsuit against California.
NetChoice sued New York in federal court.
The New York law is scheduled to take effect.
- Plaintiff
- NetChoice
- Filing date
- Nov 13
- Court
- Federal court
- Covered features
- Infinite scrolling, autoplay and algorithmic feeds
- Warning statement
- Excessive use may be associated with significant mental health harms
- Effective date
- Jan 1
What people are saying
Unlike a static warning on a product label, these warnings repeatedly interrupt users and block access to protected speech.
designed to block, burden, and browbeat social media users