A federal district judge ruled against a Louisiana criminal law requiring online booksellers and others to verify customers’ ages before providing access to information “harmful to children.” The judge cited the “vagueness” of the law in finding that it would chill free speech. (The Clay Center Dispatch, April 30, 2016, by Michael Kunzelman of the Associated Press)
The American Civil Liberties Union observed that the law suffered from serious deficiencies, one by withholding materials from anyone under 18 when material not suitable for a 12-year-old might be appropriate for a 17-year-old. Not only would the law require unrealistic reporting requirements but would not stop young people from viewing information on the internet from outside Louisiana, said the ACLU. (ACLU, May 2, 2016, by Esha Bhandari)