Musk Sues Advertisers over Antitrust Violations

Elon Musk's social media platform X has filed an antitrust lawsuit in federal court in Texas against the World Federation of Advertisers and several major companies, including Unilever, Mars, CVS Health, and Orsted. The lawsuit alleges that these entities conspired through the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) to implement a 'massive advertiser boycott,' withholding billions of dollars in advertising revenue from X. This purported boycott followed Musk's 2022 acquisition and rebranding of Twitter, amid concerns over the platform's adherence to brand safety standards. X's CEO Linda Yaccarino emphasized that this boycott undermines the marketplace of ideas and constitutes illegal behavior. Musk indicated a shift from attempted peaceful resolutions to a more aggressive legal stance, seeking unspecified monetary damages and injunctive relief. The lawsuit has drawn attention due to its potential implications for antitrust laws and online advertising practices.