X Corp, the entity now overseeing the operations of social media giant Twitter, has initiated legal action against the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), an organization dedicated to combating online hate. X Corp alleges that CCDH, through its research that critiqued the platform, engaged in “unlawful acts” aimed at unauthorized access to its data.
This legal clash has intensified the ongoing discourse surrounding online hate and speech moderation, with X Corp’s lawsuit implicating CCDH’s actions as an attempt to gain improper access to valuable data. The accusations have prompted a swift counter-response from CCDH, led by its Chief Executive Imran Ahmed, who accuses X Corp’s owner, Elon Musk, of employing legal threats to silence critical voices.
The not-for-profit CCDH, known for its research and advocacy against digital hate, has found itself in the spotlight due to its reports that highlighted the prevalence of hate and disinformation on the Twitter platform during Musk’s tenure as owner.
The legal skirmish erupted shortly after a series of legal letters exchanged between both parties. The initial warning from X Corp’s attorney, Alex Spiro, laid out allegations of inaccuracies in CCDH’s research, a claim that CCDH promptly refuted. This exchange set the stage for X Corp’s subsequent legal filing in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, asserting a range of new accusations.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from CCDH, contending that the organization’s critical reports had incurred substantial financial losses, amounting to “at least tens of millions of dollars,” in advertising revenue for X Corp. Additionally, the lawsuit intends to amend its case to unveil the identities of CCDH’s backers, suggesting potential ties to “foreign governments with ties to legacy media companies.”
The complaint raises questions about CCDH’s methodology and data collection, alleging that the organization engaged in “intentional and unlawful” data scraping from X Corp, a practice that allegedly violates the platform’s terms of service. Furthermore, the lawsuit asserts that CCDH gained “unauthorized” access to X Corp’s data through the use of Brandwatch, a software tool for monitoring brand-related discussions on social media.
The legal proceedings also claim that CCDH’s ultimate goal was to stifle opposing viewpoints on topics such as Covid-19 vaccines, reproductive healthcare, and climate change. The lawsuit points out that the CCDH’s reports prompted several advertisers to halt their advertising spending on X Corp’s platform.
As this legal battle unfolds, it underscores the complex interplay between social media platforms, research organizations, and the broader discourse on combating online hate and disinformation. The outcome of this case may have far-reaching implications for the role of third-party organizations in scrutinizing digital platforms and the boundaries of free speech in the online realm.
