GOP Subpoenas Group Advocating Big Tech User Bans
A Top Republican Issues Subpoena Against Group Advocating Big Tech Censorship
In a bold move, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, has issued a subpoena to the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a group known for pressuring Big Tech companies to ban users.
The subpoena specifically requests documents and communications related to the center’s contact with President Joe Biden’s administration. This comes after the center refused to cooperate voluntarily with Mr. Jordan, who is leading an investigation into the government’s coordination with Big Tech and other organizations to censor individuals.
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The committee expressed frustration with CCDH’s lack of cooperation, stating, “To date, CCDH has failed to produce a single document, despite admissions to the Committee and to the press that part of CCDH’s work includes directly engaging with the Executive Branch and social media companies. CCDH’s counsel has informed the committee that CCDH will not comply with voluntary requests, leaving the committee with no choice but to subpoena.”
CCDH has yet to respond to the subpoena or provide any comment on the matter.
The ‘Disinformation Dozen’
CCDH, based in London with an office in Washington, has been a vocal advocate for Big Tech companies like Facebook to ban certain users, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former presidential candidate.
In response to Mr. Jordan’s investigation, CCDH released a letter clarifying its mission and work. The nonprofit emphasized its collaboration with governmental officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations in an effort to combat online hate and disinformation.
CCDH also made it clear that it is solely funded by private donors and does not receive any funding from the U.S. government.
In 2021, CCDH published a report titled “The Disinformation Dozen,” which highlighted 13 individuals, including Mr. Kennedy, for posting “anti-vaccine content” on social media platforms. The group argued that deplatforming these individuals was the most effective way to combat the spread of harmful information.
One of the posts mentioned in the report accurately predicted the requirement of COVID-19 vaccination proof for travel, further supporting CCDH’s stance.
The House panel is focusing on CCDH due to evidence presented in recent court cases, which revealed that White House officials referenced the group’s report when pressuring platforms to ban users, including Mr. Kennedy. The disinformation dozen was also publicly discussed by White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
As a result of the pressure, platforms like Facebook took action against the individuals listed in the report.
Lawsuit
X, formerly known as Twitter, has filed a lawsuit against CCDH, accusing the nonprofit of engaging in a campaign to drive advertisers away. The complaint alleges that CCDH illegally accessed secure data and used selective posts to falsely claim that hate speech on the platform had increased since Elon Musk took over.
The lawsuit claims that media coverage of CCDH’s allegations convinced advertisers to stop buying ads on X, ultimately stifling freedom of speech on the platform. CCDH’s founder and CEO, Imran Ahmed, believes that Musk is attempting to silence their efforts to combat hate and disinformation.
“The Center for Countering Digital Hate’s research shows that hate and disinformation is spreading like wildfire on the platform under Musk’s ownership, and this lawsuit is a direct attempt to silence those efforts. People don’t want to see or be associated with hate,” Ahmed stated.
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