X is suing California over social media content moderation law

X, the social media firm beforehand generally known as Twitter, the state of California over a legislation that requires firms to reveal particulars about their content material moderation practices. The legislation, generally known as AB 587, requires social media firms to publish details about their dealing with of hate speech, extremism, misinformation and different points, in addition to particulars about inside moderation processes.

Legal professionals for X argue that the legislation is unconstitutional and can result in censorship. It “has each the aim and certain impact of pressuring firms equivalent to X Corp. to take away, demonetize, or deprioritize constitutionally-protected speech,” the corporate wrote within the . “The true intent of AB 587 is to strain social media platforms to ‘remove’ sure constitutionally-protected content material considered by the State as problematic.”

X is just not alone in its opposition to the legislation. Although the measure was backed by some activists, quite a lot of trade teams took situation with AB 587. Netchoice, a commerce group which represents Meta, Google, TikTok and different tech firms, final 12 months that AB 587 would assist dangerous actors evade firms’ safety measures, and make it tougher for them to implement their guidelines.

On the similar time, AB 587’s backers have mentioned it’s vital to extend the transparency of main platforms. “If @X has nothing to cover, then they need to don’t have any objection to this invoice,” Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, who wrote AB 587, mentioned to X’s lawsuit.