Policy · 2h ago
5th Circuit blocks Texas law requiring websites to filter 'harmful' speech
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a Texas law that would have required websites to filter harmful speech, ruling that Section 230 preempts the filtering mandate. The court found age verification requirements constitutional but struck down the filtering provisions. The decision is a win for tech platforms arguing that federal law shields them from state-imposed content moderation obligations.
Meridian48 take
The ruling reinforces Section 230's broad preemptive power over state content laws, but the carveout for age verification signals courts may still allow targeted state regulation.
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5th Circuit blocks Texas law requiring websites to filter "harmful" speech →
Ars Technica AI
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