CCIA Scorns Florida AG Opposition to Expedited Kids Social Media Ban Case
In the latest volley of court documents in a case challenging a Florida law that would ban kids younger than 13 from having social media accounts, the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) slammed the state AG for opposing its motion to expedite the proceedings. Months earlier, Florida urged that the case be expedited. CCIA made a similar motion to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Dec. 3 (see 2512030047).
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“Despite requesting" an expedited answer concerning "the exceptionally important constitutional issues at stake in this appeal two months ago, the state now reverses course, insisting that expedition is no longer necessary” since the 11th Circuit lifted a preliminary injunction against the law, CCIA said Friday.
The appeals court lifted the block of HB-3 on Nov. 26 in a 2-1 decision, ruling the Florida attorney general was likely to succeed on the merits (see 2511260042).
“In reality, the [11th Circuit's] sharply divided decision only underscores why expedition is appropriate,” the trade association added. No matter which way the court rules, “the parties deserve a clear answer sooner rather than later [on] whether HB3 can be enforced while the parties litigate to final judgment.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) had argued against the need to fast-track the case in response to CCIA’s original Wednesday motion. However, later, the AG said, “Because of this Court’s stay order, there is no longer ‘good cause’ to expedite.” The 11th Circuit ruling “returned the parties to the status quo,” he added, and CCIA’s claim that the case's issues are important “is not good cause for disturbing this Court’s ordinary scheduling procedures."
The law, HB-3, also requires 14- and 15-year-olds to gain parental consent before creating social media accounts. CCIA and NetChoice argue that this requirement poses security risks and violates the First Amendment (see 2503310040).