TAKE ACTION: Defending the Right to Research in the EU
3 million sexualized images—including 23,000 of children. All in the span of 11 days.
This is what CCDH researchers estimated from our latest research investigating sexualization by X’s Grok. What else are they hiding? The public has the right to know what harms tech giants expose us to, but they keep pushing against transparency and accountability.
That’s why CCDH is calling for the right to research these platforms: to hold these companies responsible and accountable when they fail to keep users safe.
DEFEND THE RIGHT TO RESEARCH.
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WHY THIS MATTERS
Time and again, CCDH’s research has revealed the disturbing harms perpetrated by social media, AI platforms and their billionaire CEOs. That’s why they have tried to silence us.
In 2024, Elon Musk sued us for our research exposing and holding X accountable for the unchecked spread of hatred on the platform. In 2025, the U.S. State Department threatened our CEO, Imran Ahmed, with detention and deportation for CCDH’s continued work towards that same platform accountability. We are still in an active lawsuit with Musk—after already winning once.
The European Commission announced an investigation into X’s Grok for failing to prevent the abuse and sexualization of women and children. That scrutiny is only possible because independent researchers like CCDH exposed the harm first.
Why are these companies trying to punish researchers for exposing real-world harms instead of acting to fix them? What are they hiding?
Evidence speaks louder than words, and by researching what companies are doing behind the scenes, we can demand better and safer online spaces.
We stood outside the European Parliament, in Brussels, to ask these questions and defend the right to research. The stakes couldn’t be higher. We were proud to be joined by MEPs Sergey Lagodinsky, Kim van Sparrentak, Sandro Gozi, Alexandra Geese, and Brando Benifei.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Nobody should be punished for holding truth to power. Research into the companies that govern how we communicate, socialize, and obtain information is vital for a strong democracy, and the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Researchers must be able to conduct evidence-based research without fear of attacks.
Silencing accountability research puts all of us at risk. Add your name to our petition and share the #WhatAreTheyHiding campaign to defend the right to research and protect democracy.
