Musk’s X files lawsuits against Germany over privacy, free speech concerns

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has launched legal proceedings in Germany, challenging what it perceives as government overreach into users’ privacy and freedom of expression.

The move follows growing scrutiny of Germany’s censorship practices, particularly in the aftermath of US Vice President JD Vance’s recent speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he criticized European nations for failing to uphold core Western values, including freedom of speech, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

In a statement released on February 17, X’s Global Government Affairs division disclosed that it has filed lawsuits in both federal and state courts across Germany, aiming to contest the legality of the country’s demands for user data. The company argued that Germany submits the highest number of legal requests for user data among European Union countries, with 87 per cent of these requests linked to speech-related offenses.

“X believes that these legal demands for user data are unlawful and has taken cases in both German federal and state courts challenging the lawfulness of the government’s overreach into our users’ privacy and freedom of expression,” they said.

The legal action represents a broader attempt by Musk’s platform to push back against mounting censorship efforts that have intensified under his ownership, including lifting many restrictions that had been imposed during Twitter's previous management.

X’s lawsuits come amid escalating tensions between Musk’s platform and the German political establishment, particularly over his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. In response to the growing influence of tech companies like X, Robert Habeck, a Green party chancellor candidate, proposed the creation of a Europe-based social media platform that would be free from foreign influence, particularly from US and Chinese tech companies. Habeck criticized Musk’s perceived political leanings, claiming his platform’s content could undermine democratic processes.

Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and likely future chancellor, expressed concern over Musk’s companies, hinting that legal actions might be pursued following Germany’s elections. Merz reaffirmed his commitment to Germany’s censorship laws, emphasizing that freedom of speech must be balanced with regulations against hate speech and misinformation.

X’s lawsuit highlights the increasing tension over digital sovereignty and the role of tech giants in European politics, as both governments and corporations grapple with the intersection of free speech, privacy, and regulatory oversight.

By Vafa Guliyeva