X sues major advertisers for refusing to spend on its platform, alleging illegal boycott
X is suing several advertisers for allegedly boycotting the platform illegally. CEO Linda Yaccarino released an open letter to advertisers and a video message to X users announcing the lawsuit. The legal action targets the Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), and GARM members CVS Health, Mars, Orsted, and Unilever. X claims these advertisers followed GARM’s recommendation, leading to significant financial losses.
The alleged boycott is said to have cost X billions in ad revenue, prompting the company to seek recovery through an antitrust lawsuit. Concerns among advertisers grew after Elon Musk's takeover in 2022, which included significant changes like cutting the trust and safety team responsible for content moderation.
Yaccarino stated that X has implemented new tools to meet advertisers' brand safety standards and improve product effectiveness. She emphasized the platform's safety and efficiency for showcasing brands and reaching target audiences. Despite these efforts, many advertisers ignored the evidence and continued their boycott. In her video message, Yaccarino suggested that these actions targeted not only the company but also its users. Amid the lawsuit, a clip of Elon Musk telling concerned advertisers to “go F yourself” has resurfaced, highlighting ongoing tensions.
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External links
- Linda Yaccarino's Thread on X@lindayaX on X • Official source
- X/Twitter Is Suing Advertisers Over Alleged Boycott, With Elon Musk Saying 'Now It Is War'IGN
- In new suit, Musk’s X accuses advertisers of boycotting platform after Twitter takeoverMSNBC
- Elon Musk's X is suing advertisers over ad boycottMashable
- Musk is suing advertisers for money they didn't spend on X, accusing them of illegal boycottNeowin
Comments
I'd throw a bit of money into a lawsuit, too. They all banded together to boycott because he didn't pander to the right people or censor anyone right of center.
lol... So? even if it's true, where's the crime? The champion of free speech got offended by advertisers choosing other platforms to advertise on? Musk's all in for unrestrained self-expression only until it hurts him financially? Yeah go ahead, do throw in that money, the richest person on the planet just might need it. And then also donate some to the "billionaire" Donald Trump, who has absolutely no financial interest in becoming president
So let me get this straight: Elon Musk claims to support free speech, but then launches legal action against companies and organisations who disagree with him? This makes no sense.
Maybe we're seeing Twitter becoming MySpace... Would be no surprise if Musk sells it in one or other way at some point, fully killing it in the process. Good we have Mastodon and all the Fediverse available. As usual, nobody will regret any loss at that point, I guess.
I doubt Elon will sell it, it's his personal echo-chamber toy that spends all day with and uses it for massaging his ego. My money's on Musk eventually taking it down the drain along with himself.
Yes, I agree that's plausible. But historical experience dictates that one thing always more important than ego for capitalists is money - surplus value, to be more rigorous. That's their discipline, let's say. Kind regards and thanks for replying.