A federal judge in Florida has partially blocked a social media law that would have imposed penalties on big social media companies for deplatforming candidates for public office. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle granted a preliminary injunction on June 30 sought by the plaintiffs in the case, NetChoice LLC and the Computer & Communications Industry Association. “The legislation compels providers to host speech that violates their standards—speech they otherwise would not host—and forbids providers from speaking as they otherwise would,” the judge wrote in a 31-page opinion (pdf). “The Governor’s signing statement and numerous remarks of legislators show rather clearly that the legislation is viewpoint-based. And parts contravene a federal statute. This order preliminarily enjoins enforcement of the parts of the legislation that are preempted or violate the First Amendment.” The judge blocked two of the three Florida statutes created through the enactment of the social media law, also known as Florida Senate Bill …