Supreme Court upholds Biden admin’s social media contacts

Washington — The Supreme Court rejected a bid from social media users and two states to limit the Biden administration’s influence on social media companies to remove misinformation. In the case of Murthy v. Missouri, the court ruled 6-3 in favor, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett writing for the majority.

Murthy v. Missouri

The legal battle revolved around five social media users’ claims that the Biden administration violated their First Amendment rights by coercing platforms to censor speech. The users argued that the administration crossed the line from persuasion to coercion, leading to the Supreme Court’s decision.

The ruling comes as the government faces challenges combatting online misinformation before the November election. The dispute highlighted the intersection of social media and free speech, with federal officials accused of exercising unconstitutional influence over content moderation.

The Biden administration defended its actions as persuasive efforts to address problematic content, while challengers argued it was silencing viewpoints. The Supreme Court decision impacts the government’s ability to engage with social media platforms as it navigates emerging online threats and public health communication.

The U.S. Supreme Court