TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A federal judge on Wednesday blocked for the time being a new Florida law that sought to punish large social-media businesses like Facebook FB, +1.92% and Twitter TWTR, -1.02% if they remove content or ban politicians.
The legislation was challenged in federal court in Tallahassee by NetChoice, a lobbying firm that represents Twitter, Facebook and other online companies, and the Computer and Communications Industry Association. Both said the new law was unconstitutional and violated federal law. Hinkle said the new law was aimed at only large social media businesses, not smaller ones that provide the same services, and made exceptions for Disney DIS, +0.85% and their apps by including that theme park owners wouldn’t be subject to the law. Walt Disney World outside Orlando is one of the state’s largest private employers.