Musk's X Sues To Block New York Social Media Transparency Law
The complaint, filed in a federal court in Manhattan, seeks to halt the law, which X argues violates the First Amendment by forcing platforms to disclose sensitive information about their content moderation practices.
"Today, @X filed a First Amendment lawsuit against a New York law, NY S895B," X's Global Government Affairs team posted Tuesday, adding that it had successfully challenged a similar law in California.
"X is the only platform fighting for its users by challenging the law, and we are confident we will prevail in this case as well," the company said.
The New York law requires social media companies with over $100 million in annual revenue to submit semiannual reports detailing how they define and moderate hate speech, racism, extremism, disinformation and harassment.
Companies face fines of $15,000 per day for violations, which can be sought by the attorney general's office.
X says the law is "an impermissible attempt by the State to inject itself into the content-moderation editorial process" and seeks to pressure platforms into restricting constitutionally protected speech.
Reporters Without Borders said in a statement that asking X "account for their actions against misinformation is by no means an infringement of freedom of expression, but the bare minimum to clean up the digital space."
"Freedom of expression does not come without responsibilities," it added.
The lawsuit comes after X successfully challenged a nearly identical California law last year, according to the filing. New York's law is "a carbon copy" of the California provisions that were struck down, the filing adds.
X claims New York lawmakers refused to discuss changes to the bill after the California ruling, with sponsors saying they declined to meet because of content on X promoted by owner Musk that "threatens the foundations of our democracy."
The company argues this indicated "viewpoint discriminatory motives" behind the law's passage.
Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly member Grace Lee -- who introduced the law -- said in a statement that their act "does not infringe upon the First Amendment rights of social media companies, nor does it conflict with federal law."
"Instead, the Stop Hiding Hate Act requires narrowly tailored disclosures by social media companies to allow consumers to better decide which social media platforms they utilize," they added.
"The fact that Elon Musk would go to these lengths to avoid disclosing straightforward information to New Yorkers as required by our statute illustrates exactly why we need the Stop Hiding Hate Act."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Int'l Business Times
3 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Tesla Reports 16% Profit Drop To $1.2 Bn On Lower Auto Sales
Tesla reported another drop in quarterly profits Wednesday on lower auto sales amid intensifying electric vehicle competition and lingering backlash over CEO Elon Musk's involvement in US politics. Tesla reported second-quarter profits of $1.2 billion, down 16 percent from the year-ago level. The company in a press release emphasized ongoing efforts to lead in artificial intelligence and robotics. Revenues fell 12 percent to $22.5 billion. Lower profits had been expected after Tesla earlier this month disclosed a decline in auto deliveries. Results were also impacted by a fall in average vehicle selling prices and higher operating expenses driven by AI and other research and development projects. Tesla did not offer an outlook on full-year vehicle production, citing shifting global trade and fiscal policies. "While we are making prudent investments that will set up both our vehicle and energy businesses for growth, the actual results will depend on a variety of factors, including the broader macroeconomic environment, the rate of acceleration of our autonomy efforts and production ramp at our factories," Tesla said. The results come on the heels of Tesla's launch last month of a robotaxi service in the Texas capital Austin, Musk's first fully autonomous offering after pushing back the timeframe many times. Musk has heavily touted Tesla's autonomous driving program, as well as the company's "Optimus" humanoid robot, which employs artificial intelligence technology. But analysts have criticized Tesla's sluggishness in unveiling new autos, while questioning Musk's commitment to an earlier goal of launching a state-of-the-art electric vehicle priced at around $25,000 to bolster the odds of mass deployment. In Wednesday's press release, Tesla said "we continue to expand our vehicle offering, including first builds of a more affordable model in June, with volume production planned for the second half of 2025." Tesla has revamped its Model Y auto. That vehicle currently starts at $37,490, although the price will rise after a $7,500 federal tax credit goes away following passage of President Donald Trump's massive tax and fiscal package earlier this month. The worsening near-term outlook for EV sales is one reason analysts at JPMorgan Chase call Tesla's stock price "completely divorced from increasingly deteriorating fundamentals." But analysts at Morgan Stanley rate the company a "top pick" in light of its leadership in robotics and artificial intelligence, although a recent note warned Musk's political activity "may add further near-term pressure" to shares. Disagreements over Trump's fiscal package has been a factor in Musk's recurring feud with the president. The billionaire donated huge sums to Trump's successful 2024 presidential campaign and then joined the administration to lead the "Department of Government Efficiency," which cut thousands of government jobs, sparking boycotts and vandalism that tarnished the Tesla brand. After their bitter falling out, Musk warned Trump's legislation would bankrupt the country. On July 5 the tech mogul announced he was launching a new political party in the United States, the "America Party." Trump dismissed the launch as "ridiculous," and has also threatened to look at deporting Musk and to revoking his government contracts. Shares of Tesla dipped 0.4 percent in after-hours trading.
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Int'l Business Times
Milei Steps Up Attacks On Media As Election Nears
Argentine President Javier Milei has stepped up his attacks on journalists with defamation suits and insults that analysts say are designed to bolster his image as an anti-"woke" warrior ahead of October elections. The chainsaw-wielding, budget-slashing, libertarian president has recently taken to describing critical reporters as "human excrement," "trash," "baboons" and "prostitutes to politicians." A new slogan, "We don't hate journalists enough," has its own hashtag: #NLOSALP, which Milei adds to online posts. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has moved Argentina down 47 spots on its World Press Freedom Index from 2023, when Milei took office. It now sits at 87 out of 180 countries. The daily La Nacion counted 410 attacks by Milei on the press during his first year in office in speeches, interviews and on social media. Sixty journalists were assailed by name. "His mistreatment of journalists... has worsened in recent weeks as the government loses control of the narrative" and editorials express doubts about Milei's economic reforms, Hugo Alconada Mon, an investigative journalist at La Nacion, told AFP. Others say the president's anti-media stance is an essential part of his battle against what he calls "woke ideology." "It's a central theme since the government claims to be engaged in a 'cultural battle,' and since the narrative, by definition... goes through the media," said Gustavo Marangoni, a political analyst with the consultancy M&R Asociados. It is also common for populists, Marangoni added, to create "an enemy" for their supporters to blame for "a conspiracy... to prevent the success of libertarian governance." Since he took office in December 2023, Milei has made good on his promise to lower inflation. But it has come at a price of cutting thousands of jobs and slashing social spending, while concerns remain over Argentina's ability to shore up foreign reserves and attract investment. Milei has filed eight lawsuits against journalists this year alone, two of which have been dismissed. At least one reporter is under police protection after receiving online threats and has filed a countersuit against Milei for intimidation. "Insults, defamation and threats from Javier Milei's administration toward journalists and media critical of his regime have become commonplace since he took office," according to RSF. Milei insists the media has only itself to blame. "All these journalist scum called me incestuous, a zoophile, homophobic. They called me a Nazi," he complained recently to a friendly streaming channel, Neura. "Then, when they face a backlash, they start whining." Shila Vilker of political consulting firm Trespuntozero said Milei's targeting of the media serves to maintain his image of a disruptor, to show "that he remains the same 'outsider' who came to power to fight the political-media 'caste'." This was particularly crucial to drum up support in the months leading up to October parliamentary elections, with Milei seeking to expand his party's representation. Vilker said that due to Milei's rhetoric, "the center is neutralized, polarization increases, and the message becomes clear: there is no room for the lukewarm" in the country with deep political divisions. Backed by a "digital army that amplifies and multiplies the harassment," it also has the effect of intimidating potential critics into silence, she added.
DW
16-07-2025
- DW
US, EU express concern following Israeli strikes on Damascus – DW – 07/16/2025
Israel struck sites in Syria amid fighting between the Druze minority and the Syrian government. Meanwhile, an ultra-Orthodox party withdrew from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's cabinet. DW has the Syrian government and key Druze religious leader Sheikh Yousef Jarbou announced a ceasefire in the southern Syrian province of Sweida after clashes earlier reportedly left hundreds dead. "An agreement was reached for a ceasefire in Sweida and for the establishment of security checkpoints across the city," the Syrian-state run SANA news agency reported. The Druze-majority city of Sweida is the capital of Sweida province. It's unclear if the ceasefire deal will last, however, as a previous truce collapsed a day earlier. Another influential Druze religious leader, Hikmat al-Hijri, has rebuked the idea of a new ceasefire deal. He urged Syrian government forces to leave Sweida. Al-Hijri earlier called for foreign powers to protect the Druze community in Syria, prompting Israel's military intervention. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists he had phoned "relevant parties" amid the violence in Syria. Rubio said he was "very concerned" by the fighting. Rubio also said he expected imminent "deescalation" after Israel attacked the Syrian army headquarters in Damascus. "We think we're on our way towards a real deescalation," Rubio told journalists, saying there was a "misunderstanding" between Israel and Syria. "In the next few hours, we hope to see some real progress," Rubio said. The EU said it was "concerned" by Israeli attacks on the Syrian capital. "Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity need to be respected," European Council President Antonio Costa posted on X. The Turkish Foreign Ministry labeled Israel's strikes in Damascus an "act of sabotage." "Israel's attacks on Damascus, following its military interventions in the south of Syria, constitute an act of sabotage against Syria's efforts to secure peace, stability and security," Turkey said. The Israeli army struck targets in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Wednesday, as Israel claims its military intervention aims to protect the Syrian Druze minority. "The IDF struck the entrance of the Syrian regime's military headquarters in the area of Damascus in Syria," the Israel Defense Forces said. Two Israeli attacks were reported in the area. It's the third day in a row that Israel launched airstrikes on Syria. "The warnings to Damascus have ended — now painful blows will come," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on social media platform X. Clashes between Bedouin Sunni tribes and the Druze community broke out in the southern Syrian province of Suweida on Sunday. On Monday, the Syrian government deployed troops to Suweida, with Syria's military then being drawn into fighting with the Druze militias. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights organization said at least 300 people have been killed in southern Syria since the clashes broke out on Sunday. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Druze are a small ethno-religious group in the Middle East who primarily live in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Amid the clashes, Druze in Israel have been attempting to enter Syria to help Druze militia groups, with members of the Syrian Druze community then attempting to go into Israel. The Israeli military strikes on Syria come as Israel expresses distrust towards the Islamist-influenced Syrian government of Ahmad al-Sharaa. Al-Sharaa's government came into power after Syrian rebels ousted Bashar Assad, whose family had maintained an iron-grip on Syria for decades. Demonstrations against the Assad regime in 2011 sparked the Syrian civil war. Israel's military has launched strikes in Syria amid clashes between Syrian government forces and the Druze minority. In addition to Syria, this blog will also cover developments in other parts of the Middle East, such as Gaza and Yemen. Stay with us for the latest news, analysis, multimedia content and DW on-the-ground reporting in the region. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
