New York, N.Y. — New York State’s Stop Hiding Hate Act faces challenge from X Corp. (formerly Twitter), but lawmakers and advocates say transparency is vital for user protection
New York State is standing firm as Elon Musk’s X Corp. attempts to overturn the Stop Hiding Hate Act. The law, which requires social media platforms to disclose how they handle hate speech and harmful content, is hailed by state officials and advocacy groups as a crucial step toward protecting users and ensuring accountability.
Despite opposition from X Corp., New York leaders argue that transparency and user safety must come before corporate interests.
New York Leads the Charge for Safer Social Media
New York States has emerged as a national leader in the fight against online hate and misinformation with the passage of the Stop Hiding Hate Act.
Signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2024, the legislation requires all major social media platforms operating in the state to clearly outline their policies on hate speech, extremism, and other harmful content.
Companies must also provide users with accessible reporting tools and submit regular reports to the Attorney General detailing how flagged content is addressed.
Supporters of the law, including prominent lawmakers and civil rights organizations, argue that these requirements are essential for holding tech giants accountable and ensuring that users.
Especially those from marginalized communities—are protected from online abuse.
“This law is about transparency and safety, not censorship,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, one of the bill’s sponsors.
“New Yorkers deserve to know how these powerful platforms are handling hate and harassment.”
X Corp. Lawsuit: Corporate Interests Versus Public Good
Elon Musk’s X Corp. filed a federal lawsuit on June 17, 2025, seeking to block enforcement of the Stop Hiding Hate Act. The company claims the law infringes on free speech and compels disclosure of sensitive information.
However, New York officials and advocacy groups see the lawsuit as an attempt by a powerful corporation to avoid accountability and maintain opaque moderation practices that put users at risk.
Assembly Member Grace Lee, a co-sponsor of the law, responded, “X Corp.’s lawsuit is a distraction from the real issue: protecting New Yorkers from hate and abuse online.
The Stop Hiding Hate Act simply requires companies to be honest about their policies and procedures. That’s not an attack on free speech—it’s a basic standard of accountability.”
Advocates Applaud New York’s Commitment to Accountability
Organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and grassroots activists have praised New York’s proactive approach.
Scott Richman, ADL’s regional director, stated, “This law is a model for the nation. It empowers users, promotes transparency, and helps ensure that social media companies cannot hide behind vague policies while hate and extremism flourish.”
The law’s reporting requirements mean that for the first time, the public and regulators will have access to concrete data on how platforms handle flagged content.
This level of transparency is widely seen as a necessary check on the power of tech companies, whose decisions can have far-reaching consequences for public discourse and safety.
The Stakes: User Safety and the Future of Online Regulation
The outcome of X Corp.’s lawsuit will have significant implications for the future of online regulation in the U.S.. If New York prevails, other states may follow suit, adopting similar laws to protect users and demand transparency from social media giants. If X Corp. succeeds, it could set back efforts to hold platforms accountable for the spread of hate and disinformation.
For New Yorkers and millions of users nationwide, the stakes are clear. As Senator Hoylman-Sigal put it, “We cannot allow billionaires and corporations to dictate the rules of online engagement. Our communities deserve safe, transparent, and accountable digital spaces.”
Summary for audio file
New York State is defending its Stop Hiding Hate Act, a landmark law requiring social media platforms to disclose how they handle hate speech and harmful content. Despite a lawsuit from Elon Musk’s X Corp., state officials and advocacy groups argue the law is essential for transparency and user protection. The case could set a national precedent for online accountability, with New York leading the way in demanding safer, more transparent digital spaces for all users.
