Elon Musk’s X Faces Legal Hit As US Judge Dismisses Content Moderation Plea

Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, faces a notable legal setback as a California judge rejects the tech giant’s bid to challenge a state law requiring transparency in social media content moderation. Meanwhile, the ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the intersection of free speech rights and digital platform regulations.

Notably, X had challenged the law, arguing it violated constitutional principles. However, U.S. District Judge William Shubb’s recent decision upholds the state’s right to demand disclosure from social media companies.

California Law Prevails in Content Moderation Dispute

In a blow to the legal strategy of Elon Musk’s X, Judge Shubb dismissed the company’s plea, emphasizing that while the reporting requirement imposes a substantial burden, it remains justified within the bounds of the First Amendment. The law mandates that social media companies divulge semiannual reports detailing their content moderation practices, shedding light on objectionable posts and their resolutions, according to a Reuters report.

As per the report, Judge Shubb commented that although the reporting demand imposes a significant compliance burden on social media firms, it seems justified and not unduly burdensome under First Amendment law.

“While the reporting requirement does appear to place a substantial compliance burden on social media companies, it does not appear that the requirement is unjustified or unduly burdensome within the context of First Amendment law.”

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Elon Musk’s X Faces Uphill Battle Amidst Declining Ad Revenue and EU Scrutiny

X, under the leadership of Elon Musk since October 2022, has faced intensified scrutiny over its content moderation policies. The platform witnessed a sharp decline in monthly U.S. ad revenue, plummeting at least 55% year-over-year each month.

Meanwhile, the legal battle comes at a time when the European Union (EU) has initiated an investigation into X under the Digital Services Act (DSA), citing concerns over possible breaches related to posts following Hamas’ attacks on Israel.

However, despite the challenges, X maintains its commitment to complying with the DSA and asserts cooperation with the regulatory process. The court is set to reconvene on February 26 for further proceedings, shaping the future landscape of content moderation on social media platforms.

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