CCDH Exits X Amid Legal Concerns

(Reuters) – The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) announced on Thursday its departure from Elon Musk-owned social media platform X. This decision stems from worries that imminent changes to the platform's terms of service may undermine the nonprofit's chances in future legal disputes.

This exit adds to the ongoing conflict between Musk and CCDH, which has criticized him for allowing the proliferation of hate speech on the platform previously known as Twitter. Moreover, British newspaper the Guardian stated earlier this week that it would cease posting on X due to "disturbing content" present on the platform.

CCDH highlighted that the updated terms for X, scheduled for implementation on Friday, would direct future legal conflicts towards judges that Musk perceives as favorable.

According to these new terms, all legal matters related to X must be pursued exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas or in state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas.

"Now, the billionaire will be able to bring lawsuits to friendly courts against whoever disagrees with him on his platform," CCDH stated.

They declared their decision to leave X as a response to the platform's further decline.

Musk and X did not provide an immediate comment to Reuters.

Earlier this year, a U.S. judge dismissed Musk's lawsuit accusing the nonprofit of selectively using data to create misleading reports, claiming that he transformed X into a refuge for hate speech, extremism, and misinformation.

Additionally, X is involved in other lawsuits with various nonprofits. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas is overseeing X's lawsuit against Media Matters, accusing the organization of defamation concerning a report about advertisements next to extremist posts. The court is also handling X's suit against the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, alleging that the group unlawfully conspired to boycott the platform, resulting in lost revenue.