NetChoice Sues Utah Over New Social Media Laws for Minors

The trade group argues that the first-in-the-nation laws, set to take effect in March 2024, are unconstitutional and compromise data security.

NetChoice, a trade group representing major tech companies including TikTok, Meta, and X, has filed a federal lawsuit against Utah over its first-in-the-nation laws requiring parental consent for minors to use social media apps.
The laws, signed by Republican Governor Spencer Cox, will prohibit minors from using social media between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. unless authorized by a parent, and require age verification to open and maintain a social media account in the state.
The restrictions aim to protect children from targeted advertisements and addictive features that could negatively impact their mental health. The laws are set to take effect on March 1, 2024.
NetChoice argues that the regulations are unconstitutional as they restrict access to public content, compromise data security, and undermine parental rights.
Utah's state laws impose steep fines for social media companies that do not comply with the age-verification rule, which NetChoice says may lead companies to collect an excess of personal information from users that could end up threatening their online safety.