October Term 2023 · Docket 22-277
Does Florida's social media law violate the First Amendment?
Florida argues the law levels the playing field. NetChoice argues it censors speech.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Whitaker argued platforms market themselves as neutral forums.
Clement argued the law violates editorial discretion and compels speech.
Prelogar argued First Amendment protections cover social media curation.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-47 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 33-49 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 33-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 31-49 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 31-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-13 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 41-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 156, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 156, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-1
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Florida enacted a law regulating social media platforms. NetChoice challenged the law in federal court. The lower court ruled in NetChoice's favor. Florida appealed to the Supreme Court.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 156, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 156, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-29
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 26, 2024.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-41
What each side wants
Florida wants the law upheld to curb platform bias.
NetChoice wants the law struck down to protect editorial discretion.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 156, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 156, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-29
What each side says
Florida argues the law prevents platforms from discriminating against users.
NetChoice argues the law compels speech and discriminates by viewpoint.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 156, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 156, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-29
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked why a facial challenge fits when platforms can bring as-applied claims.
Justice Kagan asked why this case differs from previous parade sponsorship rulings.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-47 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 33-49 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 33-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 31-49 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 31-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-13 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 41-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-1
Why it matters
The outcome defines the limits of state power over digital speech. It determines whether platforms act as neutral forums or expressive entities. This shapes how Americans access information online.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 156, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 156, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-29
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 25-35 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 25-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 9-47 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 9-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 33-49 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 33-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 33-13 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 33-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 31-49 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 31-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 41-13 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 41-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 55-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 55-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-1 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-1
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 156, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 156, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 156, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 156, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-29
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.