Elon Musk’s X Corporation’s Lawsuit Against Research Group Dismissed by Judge

US District Judge Charles Breyer threw out a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s X Corporation against the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) on Monday, stating, “This case is about punishing the Defendants for their speech.”

X had alleged that CCDH violated its platform’s terms of service by collecting data for reports documenting an increase in hate speech on X following Musk’s leadership. The company sought damages for lost advertising revenue and investigation expenses.

However, Judge Breyer determined that the lawsuit’s true intent was to silence X’s critics, citing a survey showing that Musk’s policies had led researchers to cancel or alter over 100 studies about X.

When approached for comment, X’s press email deferred response, while Musk has previously emphasized his support for free speech and aggressive legal action against media watchdogs.

Judge Breyer’s dismissal emphasized CCDH’s exercise of First Amendment rights, despite X’s attempt to frame the issue as a matter of data privacy and security.

X’s complaint sought compensation for lost advertising revenue without contesting the accuracy of CCDH’s reports, prompting Judge Breyer to critique the company’s attempt to avoid pleading a defamation claim while pursuing damages for reputational harm.

The judge highlighted X’s similar lawsuit against Media Matters in 2023 as further evidence of its punitive approach towards media watchdogs.

CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed described the lawsuit as part of Musk’s campaign to evade accountability for his decisions. He welcomed the ruling as a victory for public-interest researchers and urged them to continue holding social media companies accountable for hosting hate speech and disinformation.