October Term 2023 · Docket 22-555
Do state laws forcing platforms to host unwanted speech violate the First Amendment?
Texas and Florida laws require social media sites to host user content. NetChoice argues these rules force speech. The states claim they protect free expression.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript 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
Mr. Nielson argued new technology often stifles speech. He cited telegraphs as a historical example of viewpoint discrimination.
Mr. Clement argued platforms are not common carriers. He stated they do not simply transmit messages from point A to point B.
General Prelogar acknowledged platforms do not fit traditional analogies. She addressed the unique nature of social media services.
Justice Gorsuch questioned the definition of speech under Section 230. He asked if editorial control constitutes protected speech.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 53-45 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 53-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 43-39 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 43-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 31-51 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 31-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 90, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 90, lines 45-21
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
NetChoice, LLC v. Paxton
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 53-45 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 53-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 43-39 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 43-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 90, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 90, lines 45-21
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 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 39-41
What each side wants
NetChoice wants the Court to strike down the state laws. It argues the rules force platforms to host unwanted speech.
Texas and Florida want the Court to uphold the laws. They argue the rules protect user free speech.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 53-45 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 53-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 43-39 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 43-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 90, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 90, lines 45-21
What each side says
NetChoice argues the laws compel platforms to carry specific viewpoints. This violates the First Amendment right to editorial control.
Texas and Florida argue the laws prevent platforms from censoring users. This protects the public's right to free expression.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 53-45 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 53-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 43-39 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 43-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 90, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 90, lines 45-21
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked how the law applies to blocking anti-Semitic speech. She sought a distinction between different types of speech applications.
Chief Justice Roberts asked what steps clients would take to comply. He wanted to know the practical impact of the laws if enacted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 31-51 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 31-51
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of state power over digital speech. It determines whether platforms can refuse to host specific viewpoints. The outcome shapes the future of online discourse and regulation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 53-45 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 53-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 43-39 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 43-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 90, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 90, lines 45-21
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 11-33 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 49-23 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 49-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-11 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 23-45 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 23-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 19-27 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 19-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 31-51 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 31-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 39-41
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 53-45 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 53-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 43-39 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 43-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 90, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 90, lines 45-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 38, lines 53-45 — Transcript, file page 38, lines 53-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 43-39 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 43-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 90, lines 45-21 — Transcript, file page 90, lines 45-21
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.