The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a key provision of Texas law HB 18. The court issued a 2-1 decision halting requirements for social media platforms to monitor and filter content deemed harmful to minors.
Judges ruled that Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act likely preempts the state requirement. This federal statute shields online platforms from liability regarding user-generated content.
Tech trade groups NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association brought the lawsuit. These organizations represent major industry players including Meta, Google, and Amazon.
The ruling affirms a lower court's preliminary injunction, preventing Texas from enforcing the content moderation rule while the case continues. This decision marks a significant legal victory for the tech industry against state-level regulation.