Big Tech sues Texas, says age-verification law is “broad censorship regime”

The major tech companies have filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas, challenging a new law that requires age verification for accessing certain online content. The law, passed in 2021, is aimed at protecting minors from accessing harmful material online. The tech industry argues that the law is a "broad censorship regime" that goes beyond its intended purpose. They claim it is akin to checking IDs at bookstores and shopping malls, which they consider an unreasonable burden. The lawsuit contends that the law violates the First Amendment by restricting the free speech of both content creators and users. The tech companies assert that the law is overly broad and will significantly impact their ability to operate in Texas. The legal battle highlights the ongoing tensions between tech companies and governments over the regulation of online content and the protection of minors. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of digital content regulation.