Federal Judge Partially Blocks Texas Social Media Law

A federal judge has partially blocked the SCOPE Act, a Texas law aimed at protecting minors from harmful online content, citing free speech concerns. The ruling halts the law's provisions requiring social media companies to monitor and filter content for minors but leaves other aspects intact, such as parental consent for account creation and restrictions on data collection and targeted advertising. The SCOPE Act, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, aims to give parents more control over their children's online activities and prevent exposure to harmful content. Critics, including tech industry groups like NetChoice and the CCIA, argue that the monitoring and filtering requirements infringe on First Amendment rights. The judge's decision allows Texas to enforce other parts of the law while the legal challenge continues. Tech companies, including Meta, have expressed opposition to the bill despite agreeing with its intent, citing existing safeguards on their platforms.