Meta, TikTok, and Google have filed lawsuits against California to block a new law aimed at restricting social media platforms from offering personalized feeds to children under 16. The companies argue that the law violates the First Amendment and is preempted by Section 230, which provides legal immunity to online platforms for user-generated content.
The law, set to take effect next year, seeks to limit features like algorithm-driven feeds that the state claims can harm young users' mental health. The tech giants contend that the legislation amounts to censorship and interferes with their ability to provide services to all users.
In separate complaints, the companies assert that the law unfairly targets social media platforms without addressing the broader issues of online safety. They also argue that Section 230 protects them from liability for content posted by users, making the state's regulations unnecessary and unconstitutional.
The lawsuits highlight the ongoing tension between tech companies and regulators over the regulation of digital platforms, particularly concerning the protection of minors online.