NetChoice, the Lobbying Group Helping to Broaden the First Amendment’s Reach

Ahead of a recent vote in Congress on a child safety bill, a powerful tech lobby representing Google, Meta and other major tech firms sent a forceful warning to lawmakers. The Kids Online Safety Act was “bad on policy and bad on the law,” the lobby, NetChoice, said in a statement, adding, “Courts across the country repeatedly halted these types of provisions.” The child safety bill, which would require social media platforms and other sites to limit features that can promote cyberbullying, harassment and the glorification of self-harm, has been a rare piece of legislation with bipartisan support. But it has largely stalled in Congress lately, thanks in part to NetChoice’s efforts. The group, which has grown significantly in power and influence over the last decade, is the driving force behind lawsuits that have derailed several state laws regulating the tech industry, including six on child safety.