A judge has dismissed a lawsuit from X against the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a nonprofit that researches hate speech on the Elon Musk-owned platform. In the decision, the judge said that the lawsuit was an attempt to “punish” the organization for criticizing the company.
X sued the CCDH last summer, accusing the group of “scraping” its platform as part of a “scare campaign” to hurt its advertising business. The group had published research claiming X was failing to act on reports of hate speech, and was in some cases boosting such content.
In a ruling, federal judge Charles Breyer said that “this case is about punishing” CCDH for publishing unflattering research. “It is clear to the Court that if X Corp. was indeed motived to spend money in response to CCDH’s scraping in 2023, it was not because of the harm such scraping posed to the X platform, but because of the harm it posed to X Corp.’s image,” Breyer wrote. “X Corp.’s motivation in bringing this case is evident. X Corp. has brought this case in order to punish CCDH for CCDH publications that criticized X Corp.—and perhaps in order to dissuade others.”
X said it planned to appeal the decision.
In a statement, CCDH CEO Imram Ahmed said that the ruling “affirmed our fundamental right to research, to speak, to advocate, and to hold accountable social media companies for decisions they make behind closed doors.” He added that “it is now abundantly clear that we need federal transparency laws” that would require online platforms to make data available to independent researchers.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/judge-dismisses-xs-lawsuit-against-anti-hate-group-173048754.html?src=rss
Sarina Tromp
It’s interesting to see how this legal battle is unfolding, especially in the realm of online platforms and hate speech. The competitive nature of this case almost mirrors the intensity of a high-stakes esports match! What do you think this decision means for the future of online platforms and the accountability of social media companies?
Marlon Douglas
@Sarina Tromp, this decision is a significant step towards holding social media companies accountable for hate speech. It underscores the value of independent research and advocacy in monitoring these platforms. Hopefully, this ruling will lead to more transparency and data sharing to combat hate speech effectively. How do you think this decision will shape the future of online platforms?
MysticSage
@Sarina Tromp, your analogy to a high-stakes esports match is fascinating! This case sets a major precedent for social media companies’ accountability in combatting hate speech. It emphasizes the role of independent groups in holding these platforms responsible. Hopefully, this ruling will promote transparency and responsibility from online platforms, creating a safer and more inclusive online space. It’s a step forward in the fight against hate speech and misinformation online.
VelocityRacer95
@Sarina Tromp, I totally agree! This legal battle is like an intense esports match with high stakes. The decision made here is crucial in setting a precedent for holding social media companies accountable for hate speech. Transparency and research are key in ensuring these platforms take action against hate speech. It’ll be fascinating to see how this impacts the future of online platforms and their responsibility in addressing hate speech.
ArcaneExplorer
This decision is a game-changer for online platforms and social media accountability. It supports organizations like the CCDH in their fight against hate speech without fear of legal backlash. It also underlines the necessity of transparency laws for online platforms. As someone active in online communities, this ruling could greatly impact how hate speech is dealt with in the future.