Elon Musk’s X Corp has filed a federal lawsuit against the state of New York, challenging the constitutionality of the ‘Stop Hiding Hate’ law. This legislation requires social media platforms to disclose their content moderation practices for hate speech and extremism.
What’s at Stake
The lawsuit targets the ‘Stop Hiding Hate Act’, which X claims violates First Amendment protections by forcing the disclosure of sensitive and controversial speech policies. The law subjects platforms to potential lawsuits and fines of up to $15,000 per violation daily.
X Corp’s Argument
X stated in court documents that deciding what content is acceptable on social media platforms is a matter of debate among reasonable people. The company argues that this is not a role for the government to play, as it infringes upon free speech rights.
Background on the Law
The ‘Stop Hiding Hate Act’ was authored by state Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Grace Lee, with support from the Anti-Defamation League. The law was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in December and requires platforms to report progress on eliminating hate speech, disinformation, harassment, and foreign political interference.
Why This Matters
X’s legal challenge is part of a larger global debate on content moderation. The platform has faced tensions with Brazil over account restrictions and recently settled with California over similar disclosure requirements. Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 and rebranded it as X, has positioned himself as a “free speech absolutist”.
Key Players
- Elon Musk: CEO of X Corp and owner of Twitter (rebranded as X)
- State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal: Co-author of the ‘Stop Hiding Hate Act’
- Assemblymember Grace Lee: Co-author of the ‘Stop Hiding Hate Act’
- Governor Kathy Hochul: Signed the ‘Stop Hiding Hate Act’ into law
Next Steps
The complaint references legislative sponsors’ criticism of X’s “disturbing record” on content moderation. X based its constitutional challenge on a 2023 federal appeals court decision that partially blocked California’s similar law over free speech concerns. The outcome of this lawsuit will have significant implications for social media platforms and their content moderation practices.