LGBT Tech Joins Amicus Briefs Challenging State Social Media Age Verification Laws

LGBT Tech has joined two amicus briefs opposing Louisiana’s SOCIAL Act (NetChoice v. Murrill) and Virginia’s SB 854 (NetChoice v. Jones), which require social media platforms to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors under 16.

We argue that these laws violate the First Amendment by restricting access to free speech. Social media is often a critical tool that allows LGBTQ+ youth and adults to find community and discuss sensitive topics without fear of exposure. For LGBTQ+ communities who face discrimination offline, these laws threaten access to the belonging, resources, and support available in online spaces, and increase risk by stripping away the online anonymity that allows people to navigate their identity and engage in community safely.

These briefs assert that online safety policies should account for the disproportionate harm these laws would cause to LGBTQ+ youth and other vulnerable communities.

You can find the full brief for NetChoice v. Murrill here, and for NetChoice v. Jones here.