Judge Blocks Part of Texas Online Child Safety Law Over Free Speech Concerns

The rest of the law, including the prohibition on the collection of geolocation data and display of targeted advertising, was allowed to take effect as planned.

A child uses a laptop computer, in this file photo dated May 26, 2022. Dominic Lipinski/PA Media

A federal judge, citing free speech concerns, has issued a ruling that partially blocks a Texas law designed to protect minors from harmful content online.

U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman issued a ruling on Aug. 30 that blocks the “monitoring and filtering” provisions of the Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act. His decision came just before the law was slated to take effect on Sept. 1.