An internet trade group is suing the State of Georgia to block a law requiring online classified sites to gather data on high-volume sellers who advertise online but collect payment in cash or some other offline method. NetChoice, which represents companies including Facebook parent Meta and Craigslist, filed the lawsuit Thursday in federal court in Atlanta.
The group argues that the Georgia law scheduled to take effect July 1 is blocked by an earlier federal law, violates the First Amendment rights of sellers, buyers and online services, and is unconstitutionally vague. The lawsuit asks to temporarily block the law from taking effect and then to permanently void it. Supporters have said the law is needed to further crack down on organized thieves who are stealing goods from stores and then advertising them online.
