Appeals court upholds Texas law regulating social media moderation

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/09/16/5th-circuit-texas-social-media-law/

No paywall
https://archive.ph/NVEuY

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday upheld a controversial Texas social media law that bars companies from removing posts based on a person’s political ideology, overturning a lower court’s decision to block the law from taking effect and likely setting up a Supreme Court showdown over the future of online speech.

The ruling could have wide-ranging effects on the future of tech regulation, as states throughout the country consider legislation similar to the Texas law.

The opinion was written by Judge Andrew Stephen Oldham, who was nominated by former president Trump. He was joined by Judge Edith Jones, a Reagan nominee. Judge Leslie H. Southwick, a George W. Bush nominee, concurred in part and dissented in part.

The judges ruled that while the First Amendment guarantees every person’s right to free speech, it doesn’t guarantee corporations the right to “muzzle speech.”

The ruling sets up a split between two circuit courts on key issues, which could potentially need to be resolved by the Supreme Court. Earlier this year, the 11th Circuit Court blocked major provisions of a social media that had been passed by Florida’s Republican-led legislature.

*snip*

[mackdaddy]

1. So what about Religious statements?

Any more it is hard to tell the difference between religion and politics.

[canuckledragger]

2. That's the point, and why this corrupt judge made his ruling that way.

[Fullduplexxx]

3. no shirt no shoes no service

their tos gives them that right

[dalton99a]

4. Another Fascist Society ruling

[Nevilledog]

5. Another doozy

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Tweet text:

Mike Masnick
·
Sep 16, 2022
@mmasnick
·
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The 5th Circuit has completely upended and rewritten the 1st Amendment. This is an astoundingly stupid ruling.

Mike Masnick
@mmasnick
5th Circuit is gonna 5th Circuit.



WontonKillingHat
@Popehat
·
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It really is the most angrily incoherent First Amendment decision I think I’ve ever read.
2:37 PM · Sep 16, 2022

[Bettie]

6. So, now the MAGAts can incite violence out in the open

Well, I guess it goes both ways. We can speak the truth about them in bald, uncompromising terms and when they turn and cry about it, point to this ruling.

[Mr.Bill]

7. What if the process of removing a post

was automated and was actually done by juries, not the company. Like the Discussionist website for the time it was there.

[Fullduplexxx]

8. ok then any website that does this is gonna load up with porn so fast

[ZonkerHarris]

9. so bakers don't have to make a cake for a gay wedding but social media companies must allow Nazi

ideology?
hmmm.....

[Nevilledog]

11. Turning TX into 8chan

Link to tweet

Tweet text:

Mike Masnick
@mmasnick
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Just a reminder that the law *also* forbids geoblocking Texas. Under this law, Facebook and Twitter *HAVE TO* continue to serve Texas AND cannot moderate most content in Texas.



The Cyber
@r0wdy_
Replying to @AdamSerwer and @JuliusGoat
Texans have no right to access social media either 🤷?♂️

Put a geoblock on Facebook and Twitter
5:01 PM · Sep 16, 2022

[ZonkerHarris]

12. What kind of law can CA pass that regulates Texas oil companies in this way?

[Volaris]

13. Outstanding response! Facebook is PRIVATE FUCKING PROPERTY,

and therefore, can do whatever they want. It's not facebooks fault that Maga idiots don't possess the reading comprehension necessary to understand the EULA they signed.

Becuse if the SC decides that States have the power to regulate CORPORATE PRIVATE PROPERTY, omg let's have ourselves a whole-ass Liberal FIELD DAY with the likes of ExxonMobil and EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN POLITICAL PAC THAT WILL EVER EXIST, Oh and ALSO FOX FUCKING NEWS.

Game set match, you dumb republican bitches.

[In It to Win It]

10. Well, the 5th circuit is gonna 5th circuit

[Angleae]

14. Someone here who lives in texas should post something to Free Republic (pro-democrat)

and when FR removes it then sue them under this very same law.

Edit: or Truth Social or anywhere else.