X (formerly Twitter) sues group accusing Elon Musk of allowing hate speech to thrive | Science & Tech News

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Elon Musk’s X – previously often called Twitter – is suing a hate speech watchdog that has accused its billionaire proprietor of overseeing an increase in abuse and disinformation on the platform.

The Heart for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) has been a daily critic of Musk‘s stewardship since he purchased the corporate for $44bn (£38bn) last October.

It has reported a rise in hateful language, hit out on the dropping of COVID misinformation policies, and criticised the placement of adverts next to posts from accounts like that of Andrew Tate.

The social media agency, recently renamed X, has stated any coverage modifications are about defending “free expression” and claims most posts are “wholesome”.

In a weblog publish, the corporate accused the CCDH of constructing “deceptive claims” in a bid to encourage advertisers to cease investing and “forestall public dialogue”.

It additionally claimed the group had violated its phrases of service by improperly accessing information from the location.

“That is why X has filed a authorized declare towards the CCDH and its backers,” the weblog publish added.

Learn extra:
Twitter HQ’s ‘X’ sign removed after complaints
Twitter user gives up @X username after 16 years

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Big ‘X’ signal faraway from Twitter HQ

Musk ‘making an attempt to silence criticism’

The corporate’s lawsuit has been filed in California, in response to The Washington Publish, alleging the non-profit organisation “engaged in a collection of illegal acts” to “improperly acquire entry” to firm information.

It’s looking for unspecified damages.

X’s transfer got here after the CCDH accused Musk’s staff of making an attempt to intimidate and silence the group following a report alleging his platform “fails to behave on 99%” of hateful posts from accounts subscribed to its X Blue service.

CCDH chief govt Imran Ahmed stated: “Elon Musk’s actions signify a brazen try and silence sincere criticism and unbiased analysis, within the determined hope that he can stem the tide of unfavorable tales and rebuild his relationship with advertisers.”

Musk commented on the row on X, posting: “They need to save their phrases for the jury.”

Over the weekend, the world’s richest man sparked controversy by reinstating the account of Kanye West.

The rapper was suspended in December after he tweeted a picture of a swastika, hours after he praised Hitler and made antisemitic jokes in an interview with the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

Lower than a fortnight later, Musk dissolved Twitter’s Trust and Safety Council, which was made up of volunteers to handle such issues on the platform.

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