US Settles Social Media Censorship Case, Bars Agencies From Pressuring Firms to Suppress Speech

Facebook app icon is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken on Oct. 27, 2025. Dado Ruvic/ReutersThe New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) on Tuesday came to a settlement with the federal government that prohibits agencies from requesting social media companies to suppress constitutionally-protected speech, as in the case of the Biden administration’s “whole of government” approach to censorship, according to the organization.The agreement was outlined in a consent decree awaiting final approval by the U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty in Louisiana. This closes the lawsuit originally filed as Missouri v. Biden. The case ultimately went to the Supreme Court as Murthy v. Missouri before being sent back to district court.