Federal Judge Blocks California's Child Safety Law Citing Free Speech

A federal judge has blocked California's Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, designed to protect children from harmful online content, citing free speech concerns. US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman issued a preliminary injunction in favor of NetChoice, a trade group representing major tech companies like Amazon and Google, which argued the law imposed undue burdens and could turn them into state censors. The law required businesses to assess risks to child users and configure privacy settings, but the judge found it overly vague and not narrowly tailored to its goals. California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed disappointment at the ruling and reiterated the state's commitment to child safety online. This decision continues a broader legal battle over the balance between protecting children and upholding free speech rights in the digital sphere. The case reflects ongoing tensions between regulatory efforts and the tech industry's concerns about potential censorship.