X Corp, the owner of the app formerly known as Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR), is suing an anti-hate organisation for gaining data unlawfully when producing reports, which it claims resulted in a drop in advertising revenue.
Alleging the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) used “unlawful acts” to “improperly gain access” to data about the social media app, X filed a lawsuit in the US on Monday.
CCDH, a not-for-profit researcher responsible for producing reports used by news organisations like the BBC, said X-owner Elon Musk is trying to silence anyone who criticises him.
Imran Ahmed, the chief executive of the CCDH, said: “Elon Musk's latest legal threat is straight out of the authoritarian playbook - he is now showing he will stop at nothing to silence anyone who criticises him.”
Seeking an undisclosed amount in damages, X said it lost “at least tens of millions of dollars” in advertising revenues because of CCDH’s reports, which included claims that Twitter “fails to act on 99%” of hateful messages.
X claims its data was “intentionally and unlawfully” scrapped by the CCDH using Brandwatch, a software which clients use to monitor conversations online about brands.
X alleges CCDH logged in via a third party which shared its login with the organisation, gaining unauthorised access with an overarching goal of censoring controversial viewpoints on topics like vaccines, climate change and reproductive healthcare.