Judge blocks Florida’s social media law penalizing bans of political candidates

A federal judge blocked the implementation of a new Florida law that imposes financial penalties on tech platforms that ban candidates for statewide office.

U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle issued a preliminary injunction Wednesday that blocked the law from taking effect Thursday.

The law allowed the Florida Election Commission to fine social media platforms $250,000 each day that a candidate for statewide office is deplatformed, or removed from the service. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had championed the law, saying it created an opportunity for Floridians to sue and win monetary damages.