The X logo is shown on a smartphone screen in Los Angeles, California, on July 31, 2023. Image: GETTY IMAGES
Democrats claim that X is making financial gains from the dissemination of Hamas propaganda.
House Democrats claim that X, formerly known as Twitter, is profiting from Hamas propaganda and spreading misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war.
The lawmakers, including Reps. Adam Schiff, Daniel Goldman, and Jamie Raskin, allege that X is benefiting from the spread of terrorist propaganda through subscription fees and ads, citing analyses by groups such as the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, NewsGuard, and the Tech Transparency Project.
X has not immediately responded to these accusations. Additionally, a report by NewsGuard alleges that ads for major advertisers were shown on viral posts containing false or misleading claims about the conflict, reaching a total of 92 million users on X.
In response to mounting pressure, Elon Musk, the owner of X, announced a donation of revenue from advertising and subscriptions associated with the war to hospitals in Israel and the Red Cross/Crescent in Gaza.
The move follows X’s recent challenges with extremist content and the departure of high-profile advertisers.
On Monday, Musk filed a lawsuit against Media Matters, accusing the organization of distorting the likelihood of ads appearing alongside extremist content.
However, legal critics have raised doubts about the complaint, deeming it “weak” and “bogus” in light of First Amendment considerations.
In addition, the letter from Tuesday underscores the increasing public scrutiny directed at Yaccarino, who has positioned herself as a positive contrast to Musk’s association with far-right extremism.
The letter requests Yaccarino and Musk to respond by December 1 to allegations that X has amplified terrorist propaganda, violating its own policies.
This development follows the Senate Judiciary Committee’s announcement that it has engaged the US Marshals Service to personally serve Yaccarino with a subpoena, an unusual step, compelling her to testify at a December 6 hearing on children’s online safety.
The committee stated that it resorted to this extraordinary measure after X refused to accept the subpoena on Yaccarino’s behalf, deviating from standard practice.