The law applies to online services that have at least 50 million users.
(Photo: imago images/PA Images)
New Orleans An appeals court on Wednesday lifted the injunction against a hotly contested Texas law. It prohibits online services with more than 50 million users from taking action against any user opinion.
Experts say the appellate judges’ decision could put platforms at risk of lawsuits in Texas if they remove hate speech, for example. The industry association CCIA (Computer and Communications Industry Association) announced that it would quickly examine further legal action against it. The industry organizations NetChoice emphasized that an objection would be lodged in any case.
In December, a district court stopped the law with an injunction at the request of CCIA and NetChoice, citing the platforms’ constitutional rights. The appellate judges initially did not publish a reason for their decision.
The law was pushed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. It was sparked by claims by conservatives that their views were being repressed by platforms like Twitter and Facebook. The companies deny this. In particular, the supporters of ex-President Donald Trump and he himself raise such allegations. A similar law in Florida was temporarily blocked last year.
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