Ohio Social Media Law Regulates Protected Speech in ‘Myriad Ways,’ Says NetChoice

The temporary restraining order imposed Jan. 9 by U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley for Southern Ohio in Columbus to block Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) from enforcing the state’s Parental Notification by Social Media Operators Act when it took effect Jan. 15 (see 2401090062) was the "correct" decision, said NetChoice’s reply Friday (docket 2:24-cv-00047) in support of a preliminary injunction. Nothing in Yost’s Jan. 19 response (see 2401220038) “supports any different conclusions now,” said the reply. Yost’s primary argument against the TRO and the injunction, that the statute regulates contracts, not speech, is “meritless,” said NetChoice. The statute “regulates protected speech in myriad ways, all triggering First Amendment strict scrutiny,” it said.