NetChoice v. Bonta — California SB 976 (Kids' Algorithmic Feeds) Preliminary Injunction (N.D. Cal.)
N.D. Cal. · NetChoice, LLC v. Bonta, No. 5:24-cv-07885 (N.D. Cal.)
NetChoice (the tech-industry trade group) challenged California's SB 976 — which would have restricted addictive algorithmic feeds for minors — and won a preliminary injunction blocking key portions on First Amendment grounds in December 2024. The 9th Circuit is reviewing.
Technical detail
NetChoice, LLC v. Bonta, No. 4:24-cv-07885 (N.D. Cal., PI granted Dec. 31, 2024; Judge Edward J. Davila). Section-by-section enjoined SB 976's content-personalization restrictions for minors; design-features and notification-window provisions allowed to take effect. 9th Cir. expedited appeal pending.
Who is protected: (Disputed — minors targeted by personalized feeds vs. social-media First Amendment rights)
Who must comply: Social-media platforms operating in California
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | N.D. Cal. |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Status | Blocked / in litigation |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2024-12-31 |
| Citation | NetChoice, LLC v. Bonta, No. 5:24-cv-07885 (N.D. Cal.) |
| Topics | children's online safety · automated decision-making · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Last verified | 2026-06-17 |
| Official source | NetChoice v. Bonta (SB 976) — CourtListener 4:24-cv-07885 ↗ |
More AI rules in N.D. Cal.
- Tremblay v. OpenAI · Blocked / in litigation
- Silverman v. OpenAI · Blocked / in litigation
- Kadrey v. Meta · Blocked / in litigation
- Chabon v. OpenAI · Blocked / in litigation
- Chabon v. Meta · Blocked / in litigation
- Andersen v. Stability AI · Blocked / in litigation
Related children's online safety rules elsewhere
- TAKE IT DOWN Act · In effect
- COPPA + 2025 Rule (childrens data) · In effect
- AI Companion Safeguards Law · In effect
- CT SB 5 (2026 AI Act) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- SB 1546 (OR Chatbot Safety) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- SB 540 (GA Chatbot Safety) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
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