Ashcroft v. American Civil Liberties Union

Ashcroft v. American Civil Liberties Union was a 2004 Supreme Court case concerning the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which required libraries to use filtering software to block obscene or harmful content on the internet. The ACLU challenged this law, arguing it violated the First Amendment by restricting access to constitutionally protected material. The Court ultimately ruled that the law was constitutional, emphasizing the government's interest in protecting children online while allowing libraries some discretion in how they implement filters. The case highlighted the balance between free speech and protecting minors in the digital age.