Though it was signed by DeSantis, lawyers representing Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and NetChoice quickly filed a federal lawsuit and a judge blocked it from ever going into effect.
The internet interest lobbying associations argued the law infringes on platforms’ rights of freedom of speech, equal protection, and due process in violation of the First and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
“S.B. 7072 is an assault on the First Amendment and the 11th Circuit confirmed that,” said Carl Szabo, vice president and general counsel of NetChoice. “The 11th Circuit makes clear that regardless of size, online companies are private actors whose rights the First Amendment protects, putting to bed the red herring assertions of common carrier or dominance.”