SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) - NetChoice says Utah's new law regulating registration for social media users has serious First Amendment concerns
A lawsuit was filed Dec. 18 against Utah by NetChoice, LLC in the United States District Court, District of Utah. The defendants are Sean D. Reyes, in his official capacity as Attorney General of Utah, and Katherine Hass, in her official capacity as Director of the Division of Consumer Protection of the Utah Department of Commerce.
NetChoice is challenging the constitutionality of the Utah Social Media Regulation Act (Utah Code §§ 13-63-101 to 701), claiming it restricts both minors' and adults' access to protected expression on social media platforms. It argues that the Act's restrictions infringe upon First Amendment rights and are particularly concerned about its potential impact on minors' access to speech and adults' rights.
The complaint also criticizes the Act for its broad and undefined terms which it claims leaves websites uncertain about their obligations under the law.
The plaintiff is represented by David C. Reymann and Kade N. Olsen from Parr Brown Gee & Loveless, P.C., and Steven P. Lehotsky, Scott A. Keller, Jeremy Evan Maltz, Todd Disher, Joshua P. Morrow, and Alexis Swartz from Lehotsky Keller Cohn LLP.