The law was due to go into effect today, but in issuing a preliminary injunction last night, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle of the Northern District of Florida suggested that the law would be found unconstitutional. That’s a key victory for tech companies, after trade groups Netchoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association brought a lawsuit challenging the legislation in May.
Netchoice said the decision would allow tech companies to continue to remove objectionable content. “America’s judiciary system is designed to protect our constitutional rights, and today’s ruling is no different, ensuring that Florida’s politically motivated law does not force Floridians to endure racial epithets, aggressive homophobia, pornographic material, beheadings, or other gruesome content just to use the Internet,” Carl Szabo, the group’s vice president and general counsel, said in a statement.