Elon Musk's X Corp has filed a lawsuit challenging a New York state law that requires social media companies to report how they moderate hate speech and misinformation.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, seeks to stop the law, which X says violates the First Amendment by forcing platforms to disclose sensitive information about their content moderation practices.

"Today, @X filed a First Amendment lawsuit against New York state law NY S895B," X's global government affairs team wrote, adding that it had successfully challenged a similar law in California.

"X is the only platform fighting for its users by challenging the law, and we are confident we will win this case as well," the company said, as quoted by AFP.

The New York law requires social media companies with annual revenues of more than $100 million to submit semi-annual reports detailing how they identify and moderate hate speech, racism, extremism, misinformation, and harassment.

Companies face fines of $15,000 per day for violations, which can be imposed by the prosecutor's office.

X argues that the law is "an impermissible attempt by the state to interfere with the editorial process of content moderation" and aims to pressure platforms to restrict constitutionally protected free speech.

The lawsuit was filed after X successfully challenged a nearly identical law in California last year.

The New York law is a "carbon copy" of the California provisions that were struck down, the company's statement added.

X claims that New York lawmakers refused to discuss changes to the bill after the California ruling, with sponsors saying they refused to meet because of content on X promoted by owner Musk that "threatens the foundations of our democracy."

The company claims this shows "discriminatory motives" behind the passage of the law.

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Grace Lee, who introduced the bill, said it "does not violate the First Amendment rights of social media companies, nor does it conflict with federal law."

"Instead, the Hate Hiding Act requires social media companies to provide strictly defined information to allow users to make a better decision about which social media platforms to use," they added.

"The fact that Elon Musk is going to such lengths to avoid disclosing clear information to New Yorkers, as required by our law, shows exactly why we need the Stop Hiding Hate Act," they added. | BGNES