Elon Musk’s Lawsuit Against Research Group Dismissed by US District Judge

A lawsuit filed last year by Elon Musk's X against a research group was thrown out Monday, with US District Judge Charles Breyer stating, "This case is about punishing the Defendants for their speech."

X's Complaint and Allegations

In its complaint filed in the Northern District of California, X argued that the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) violated the platform's terms of service by gathering data for reports that highlighted a significant increase in hate speech on X after Musk's takeover. X claimed that CCDH's actions led to "tens of millions of dollars" in damages, including lost advertising revenue and internal investigation costs.

Judge's Ruling and Criticism

Judge Breyer dismissed the lawsuit, emphasizing that the true intention behind it was to silence X's critics through intimidation. He referenced a survey showing that over 100 studies related to X were altered or abandoned due to Musk's policies advocating for free speech. The judge criticized X for attempting to avoid addressing First Amendment rights by focusing on data privacy concerns.

Free Speech Stance and Lawsuits

Musk has previously declared himself a "free speech absolutist" and defended his legal actions against media watchdog groups as efforts to safeguard free expression. Despite seeking compensation for lost advertising revenue linked to CCDH's reports, X did not dispute the accuracy of the findings.

Judge Breyer highlighted the inconsistency in X's approach, stating that the company aimed to avoid defamation claims while seeking damages for reputational harm. He pointed out a previous lawsuit filed by X against Media Matters, further underscoring X's contentious relationship with media watchdog organizations.

Response from CCDH

CCDH's CEO Imran Ahmed denounced Musk's lawsuit as part of a broader campaign of harassment and avoidance of accountability. Ahmed expressed hope that the court's decision would encourage researchers to continue their essential work of holding social media platforms responsible for disseminating hate speech and misinformation.

This momentous ruling sets a precedent for the ongoing scrutiny of online platforms and their impact on society.

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By: dreuter@businessinsider.com (Dominick Reuter)
Title: Elon Musk’s Lawsuit Against Research Group Dismissed by US District Judge
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/judge-throws-out-hate-speech-lawsuit-elon-musk-x-2024-3
Published Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2024 20:15:24 +0000