X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has threatened to sue a group of independent researchers whose research documented an increase in hate speech on the site since it was purchased last year by Elon Musk.
An attorney representing the social media site wrote to the Center for Countering Digital Hate on July 20 threatening legal action over the nonprofit’s research into hate speech and content moderation. The letter alleged that CCDH’s research publications seem intended “to harm Twitter’s business by driving advertisers away from the platform with incendiary claims.”
Musk is a self-professed free speech absolutist who has welcomed back white supremacists and election deniers to the platform, which he renamed X earlier this month. But the billionaire has at times proven sensitive about critical speech directed at him or his companies.The center is a nonprofit with offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom. It regularly publishes reports on hate speech, extremism or harmful behavior on social media platforms like X, TikTok or Facebook.
The organization has published several reports critical of Musk’s leadership, detailing an increase in anti-LGBTQ hate speech as well as climate misinformation since his purchase. The letter from X’s attorney cited one specific report from June that found the platform failed to remove neo-Nazi and anti-LGBTQ content from verified users that violated the platform’s rules.
Musk’s ‘X’ Sign removed from San franc. HQ amid complaints
San Francisco : Elon Musk’s X sign was removed from the San Francisco headquarters of his social media company after complaints from city residents and officials. The sign had been installed during the company’s rebranding without a building permit. Additionally, complaints were made about an old Twitter sign on the building’s side, deemed unsafe. City inspectors were denied access to the roof where the “X” sign was installed. The rebranding announcement was made by Elon Musk, who also changed his profile avatar to the “X” logo and posted marketing materials with “Xs.
