NetChoice Explores Options After Court Denies Rehearing Kids Social Media Case
NetChoice "will explore all available options" after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday denied the trade association's petition to rehear a case challenging the constitutionality of a California social media addiction law. The court gave no reason for its denial.
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The trade group “is disappointed in the Court’s decision," Paul Taske, co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, said Friday.
NetChoice contested on free speech grounds a law that makes it illegal for internet-based services and applications to provide addictive feeds to those younger than 18. But in September, the appeals court declined to block most of SB-976, ruling NetChoice lacked standing and failed to produce a record to support its challenge (see 2509090049).
NetChoice asked the 9th Circuit to grant a rehearing en banc shortly after it ruled against the group in case 25-146 (see 2509260044). But in October, California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) responded that there's nothing left for the court to examine (see 2510220033).
NetChoice initially sued California over SB-976 at a district court in November 2024 (docket 5:24-cv-07885), stating it violated free speech and put children’s safety at risk by requiring platforms to obtain parental consent before providing addictive feeds to minors (see 2411120052).