On Tuesday, September 16, legal professionals were drawn to several critical developments related to the Supreme Court and its far-reaching implications on social media, children’s safety, and religious liberty.
- In a surprising development, the U.S. and China have reached a “framework” deal to avert a ban on TikTok, as reported by Time. The agreement signals a possible end to the legal disputes initiated last year following bipartisan legislation mandating the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, unless otherwise sold to a U.S. firm. Although the Supreme Court upheld this law in January, it remains a contentious issue with implications for international business agreements.
- The Verge reports that New York is pushing for a state proposal requiring social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to implement age verification mechanisms. This initiative aims to protect minors from algorithm-driven feeds and nighttime notifications. Despite its intentions, similar proposals across the U.S. are facing legal challenges over potential infringements on free speech and privacy rights, as seen in recent cases addressing age-gating practices upheld by the Supreme Court.
- The mystery surrounding the 1979 disappearance of Etan Patz is set to continue its legal battle, with New York City prosecutors intending to petition the Supreme Court to reinstate a murder conviction that was overturned by an appeals court. The Associated Press details the city’s latest move in an case that has seen significant public attention over decades of legal proceedings, which may now culminate in a historic Supreme Court decision.
- Religious liberty in public education is under scrutiny, according to a piece by National Review. David Cortman’s commentary underlines ongoing debates on religious expression in schools, urging for policy reviews to ensure constitutional rights are respected amidst what he describes as radical social agenda shifts.
- Legal academic circles and court observers are taking note of Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s memoir, “Listening to the Law,” reviewed by William Baude on the Divided Argument blog. Baude highlights its effort to demystify the Supreme Court’s workings, albeit cautioning that its appeal may be limited by a focus on legal principles over political or personal narratives.
Each article selected for this briefing provides invaluable insight into ongoing legal discussions that are shaping the national discourse, making them essential reading for legal practitioners and scholars alike.