X challenges German court order granting data access to election researchers

image via TechCrunch

February 18, 2025, 4:55 PM

• •A Berlin court ordered X to provide immediate access to public platform data to two civil society organizations seeking to study systemic risk around the country’s upcoming election.
• •X is challenging the order, claiming the summary proceeding “egregiously undermines our fundamental right to due process and threatens the privacy rights and free speech of our users.”
• •The data access challenge hinges on the European Union’s Digital Services Act, an online rulebook which requires larger platforms — such as X — to support public interest research into systemic risks.

Earlier this month, a Berlin court ordered Elon Musk-owned X to provide immediate access to public platform data to two civil society organizations seeking to study systemic risk around the country’s upcoming election. In a post on X, the social media company said Tuesday it is challenging the order, claiming the summary proceeding “egregiously undermines our fundamental right to due process and threatens the privacy rights and free speech of our users.”

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