The complete record

5 incidents matching your filters.

June 2024

Jun 26, 2024Washington, DC

Missouri v. Biden challenges alleged government pressure on social media platforms

Missouri v. Biden was a major federal lawsuit alleging that government officials and agencies improperly pressured social media companies to remove, suppress, or limit certain speech on topics including COVID-19, election integrity, and public policy. Internal communications produced during litigation showed extensive contact between government officials and major technology platforms. Supporters of the lawsuit argued the communications amounted to unconstitutional government pressure on private companies, while government officials and platform representatives maintained the communications were intended to address misinformation and public safety concerns. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court as Murthy v. Missouri and became one of the most significant free speech cases of the social media era.

Government-Platform Coordination#Missouri v. Biden#Murthy v. Missouri

December 2022

Verified

Dec 15, 2022Stanford, CA

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya trends-blacklisted by Twitter; later plaintiff in Murthy v. Missouri

Stanford epidemiologist and Great Barrington Declaration co-author Jay Bhattacharya was placed on a Twitter 'Trends Blacklist' revealed in the Twitter Files in December 2022. He joined Missouri v. Biden as a plaintiff.

Government-Platform Coordination#COVID-19#Bhattacharya

Verified

Dec 2, 2022United States, US

Twitter Files released documenting internal moderation and government communications

Beginning on December 2, 2022, Twitter released a series of internal company documents and communications to independent journalists following Elon Musk's acquisition of the platform. The disclosures, collectively known as the "Twitter Files," included internal emails, moderation discussions, and communications between Twitter employees and outside entities, including government agencies. The releases generated widespread public debate regarding the relationship between government officials and private technology platforms, as well as the transparency and consistency of online content moderation practices.

Government-Platform Coordination#Twitter Files#Twitter

March 2021

Verified

Mar 24, 2021Washington, DC

'Disinformation Dozen' report drives platform bans of vaccine critics

A March 2021 report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate identified 12 individuals it said produced most anti-vaccine content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The report was cited by the White House and members of Congress and preceded platform actions against many of the twelve, including Joseph Mercola, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Erin Elizabeth, Sherri Tenpenny, Rashid Buttar, and Ty and Charlene Bollinger.

Government-Platform Coordination#Vaccines#COVID-19

October 2020

Verified

Oct 8, 2020Bethesda, MD

NIH Director Francis Collins urges 'quick and devastating takedown' of Great Barrington Declaration

An October 8, 2020 email from NIH Director Francis Collins to NIAID Director Anthony Fauci, later obtained through FOIA, called for a 'quick and devastating published takedown' of the Great Barrington Declaration authored by Bhattacharya, Kulldorff, and Gupta.

Government-Platform Coordination#COVID-19#Great Barrington Declaration