This is why CCDH is leaving X 

CCDH is leaving X. Elon Musk has transformed a once-influential town square into a dangerous, troubled space where hate, conspiracy theories, and lies have privileged access to the megaphone.  

Since Musk took over the company, our research has shown the decline of Twitter, now X, into the kind of “hellscape” that Elon Musk, upon taking control, told advertisers Twitter would become if platform standards degraded completely.  

In response to research by CCDH quantifying the increase in hate on his platform – a study that showed use of the most offensive slur against Black people had tripled in the week after he took over –, the billionaire caused X to sue CCDH for allegedly violating the platform’s terms of service. Musk’s baseless claims were fully dismissed as a matter of law by a federal judge in California in March 2024. Although X has appealed that judgment, CCDH is confident in the merits of its defense.  

Now, Musk is changing X’s terms of service to ensure that future legal assaults are presided over by judges he feels will be on his side. On November 15, X is changing its terms of service to require that all legal disputes related to the platform’s new rules “will be brought exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas or state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas.”   

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas is already presiding over Musk’s lawsuits against Media Matters and Global Alliance for Responsible Media.  

Elon Musk has a track record of using his money and power to attempt to intimidate his critics in court. Now, the billionaire will be able to bring lawsuits to friendly courts against whoever disagrees with him on his platform—lawsuits that force organizations to spend millions of dollars defending themselves against frivolous claims, rather than investing in their mission.  

Anyone who stays on X after November 15 will automatically accept the new terms of service. Does that sound terrifying? It is, particularly for small, independent organizations doing research on X and trying to hold the platform and its boss accountable.  

For CCDH, this is more than an exit announcement: it is a warning to other individuals and organizations who investigate and report on social media companies’ failures and Musk’s authoritarian moves. It is even a warning to normal users that any criticism of X might find you in court in Texas defending yourself against a lawsuit brought by X Corp.  

It was never about building an inclusive town square. For Elon Musk, freedom of speech is reserved for speech that echos his own beliefs about the world – and about himself. His platform is just a cauldron of hate, disinformation and self-serving content.  

Why did we stay on X for so long?  

We stayed simply because CCDH has a duty to inform the public – who care about our work and about making the internet safer – of our research and insights. Twitter used to be a platform where we could publish our research and campaigns, and where our supporters could stay updated on the progress of our mission and amplify our content. That is, until Elon Musk came along.  

We made the decision to leave X because the platform has declined further. CCDH’s mission and values do not align with a platform that welcomes and encourages neo-Nazis, women-haters, racists, extremists, and conspiracy spreaders. We want to protect our organization and our supporters. And the November 15 change in the terms of service only highlights again how much the platform has become unrecognizable.  

CCDH will continue to expose social media companies’ failures and demand real accountability. So, stay with us. You can keep up to date with CCDH’s work by following us on Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube or by signing up to get our monthly newsletter.

Why is CCDH on other social media platforms?  

Why is CCDH on other social media platforms when our research shows that, to different degrees, they’re failing to keep people safe?   

In short, we’re on other social media because we need to promote our work and raise awareness about these same platforms’ role in harming kids, communities, and our democracy. We believe that other platforms have not descended to X’s level and are still effective communication tools. We are still hopeful that these platforms will be willing partners with us, and you, in making life online safer.  

CCDH’s mission is to protect human rights and civil liberties online. As we continue to work towards our goals, will you join us? Follow us on Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Sign up to get our updates.