NetChoice Files Suit Against Tennessee’s Social Media Age-Verification Law

Tennessee’s social media age-verification law should be blocked because it violates the First Amendment, NetChoice said Thursday, filing a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Tennessee’s HB-1891 violates the Constitution in the same way as laws in California, Arkansas, Ohio, Mississippi, Texas and Utah, the association said. “HB 1891 would prevent Tennesseans -- minors and adults alike -- from discussing politics, catching up with friends, or reading the news online unless they surrender their sensitive personal data first,” said Litigation Center Associate Director Paul Taske. “Not only does this violate the First Amendment, but it also endangers the security of all Tennesseans, particularly children by creating a data target for hackers and criminals.” The Computer & Communications Industry Association wrote Gov. Bill Lee (R) in April, seeking a veto of the measure. HB-1891 holds social media platforms liable for failing to verify age, but it also tells companies to delete the information, which leaves them without a “means to document their compliance,” said CCIA.