Texas 'anti-Big Tech' law goes after censorship

 Washington Examiner:

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are likely to be sued by Texans who have been restricted on the platforms thanks to a new anti-censorship law in the state.

HB 20, a Republican-backed anti-Big Tech law that stops social media companies from restricting users due to their political beliefs, was reinstated by a federal appeals court last week, paving the way for Texans to sue platforms that censor them.

The law was passed last September but was paused until last week.

Republicans who have accused social media giants of unfairly censoring conservatives such as former President Donald Trump are expected to sue the platform in large numbers.

“A big flood of lawsuits is expected against the social media platforms if HB 20 remains in effect. The Texas plaintiff lawyers will be pretty fired up,” said Eric Goldman, a law professor who heads the Santa Clara University High Tech Law Institute.

“They could start pouring in anytime, and of some [of] them might already be filed by people who don’t like that they’ve been blocked,” he added.

...

Don't be surprised if lawyers for Big Tech attack this law.  The billable hours for lawyers for both sides could be significant.  If Musk is successful in his acquisition of Twitter, that platform might escape some of the litigation.  Lawyers for a purchaser usually do require the seller to be responsible for cases that arise before the acqusition. 

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