A law in Arkansas requires social media companies to verify that their users’ age is ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge. The decision is a major victory for social media companies and digital rights groups that oppose the law and other similar laws.
Arkansas became the second country (after Utah) to pass the age verification method on social media. The Social Media Security Act requires companies to verify games for users under the age of 18 and obtain permission from their parents. The law is challenged by Netchoice, a lobby that represents the tech industry with members including Meta, Snap, X, Reddit and YouTube. NetChoice also proposed laws that restrict social media access, and.
Judge Timothy Brooks said the law known as Bill 689 was too broad. “Bill 689 is a voice restriction based on content and is not a target for harm identified by the state,” Brooks wrote in his decision. “Arkansas pairs an axe for protected speeches for adults and minors, despite the constitution requiring it to use a scalpel.” Brooks also emphasized the “unconstitutional” applicability of the law, which appears to have impose obligations for certain online services but may exempt services with “main or exclusive features.” [of]…direct messaging “like snapchat.
“The court confirmed from the very beginning what we have been arguing: The laws that restrict access to protected speech violate the First Amendment,” Netchoice’s Chris Marchese said in a statement. “This ruling protects Americans from having to hand over their ID or biometric data to access constitutionally protected voice online.”
It is unclear whether Arkansas state officials appealed the ruling. “I respect the court’s decision and we are evaluating our options,” Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement.
Even with Netchoice’s latest win, it seems unlikely to disappear soon. Utah recently passed the age verification requirement. And requiring porn sites to perform age verification is currently in the Supreme Court.
