Elon Musk’s X sues New York over new social media rule

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has filed a federal lawsuit against the state of New York, challenging a new state law that requires social media platforms to regularly disclose how they moderate harmful content.

Filed on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Manhattan federal court, the lawsuit argues that the legislation violates the First Amendment and encroaches on federal law.

The challenged law mandates that social media companies submit reports twice a year.

These reports must outline their policies on handling hate speech, misinformation, extremist content, and other potentially harmful material.

Platforms must also define these terms explicitly, disclose how they enforce their policies, and provide data on flagged content, actions taken, and the reach of such posts.

The law, signed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul in late 2024, is set to take effect later this year.

Musk’s X contends that the legislation forces platforms into making politically sensitive disclosures that could invite government pressure and public criticism, effectively stifling free expression.

“The state is trying to publicly shame platforms into removing constitutionally protected speech,” the company’s filing reads.

It argues that New York is attempting to manipulate editorial judgment by compelling disclosures designed to stir controversy.

New York Attorney General Letitia James responded, stating her office is reviewing the lawsuit and remains ready to defend the law’s constitutionality.

The law’s sponsors, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Grace Lee, both Democrats, argue that the legislation promotes transparency and platform accountability.

They have criticized X for what they called a “disturbing record” of tolerating disinformation and hate speech under Musk’s leadership.

Musk, who bought Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X, has significantly reduced the company’s content moderation practices.

He disbanded the platform’s Trust and Safety advisory council and reinstated accounts previously banned for violating misinformation policies.

Under Musk’s tenure, critics argue that the platform has become a haven for harassment, hate speech, and disinformation.

X has previously fought similar laws. In California, the company successfully halted key provisions of a state law requiring similar disclosures.

A federal appeals court blocked enforcement of those rules, citing First Amendment concerns. The California government later reached a settlement and agreed not to enforce the reporting mandates.

The latest lawsuit reflects X’s broader resistance to state-led content moderation regulations.

The outcome of this legal battle could shape how much influence state governments have over private tech companies’ content governance.

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