What ruling was established in the United States v. American Library Association case?

The case of United States v. American Library Association (2003) established that the government has the authority to require public libraries receiving federal funding to install internet filters on their computers to block access to visual depictions that are obscene or child pornography. This ruling was significant because it upheld the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which aimed to protect minors from inappropriate content online while allowing libraries to still provide internet access.

The court found that requiring filters did not violate the First Amendment rights of adults using library computers since they could request the filters be disabled for legitimate research or other adult uses. This ruling emphasized the balance between providing access to information and ensuring the safety and protection of minors in public spaces like libraries. Thus, this case reinforced the idea that government funding can come with stipulations intended to safeguard public interests.