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X Ordered to Pay Costs in George Galloway Case as Affidavit Deadline Looms
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X Ordered to Pay Costs in George Galloway Case as Affidavit Deadline Looms

10 Dec X Ordered to Pay Costs in George Galloway Case as Affidavit Deadline Looms

Posted at 19:13h in Media Archive by

In the latest development in former MP George Galloway’s High Court defamation case, X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has been ordered to pay the legal costs of his motion. The court also directed both sides to submit sworn affidavits attesting to the truth of their claims by January 30, 2025.

Case Background

The lawsuit stems from X’s application of the label “Russian state-affiliated media” to Mr. Galloway’s account in 2022. The label, which appeared on his profile and tweets, was part of a controversial policy targeting accounts with alleged ties to government-controlled media. Mr. Galloway, who denies such affiliations, has described the label as defamatory and damaging to his reputation.

X scrapped the labelling policy entirely on April 21, 2023, shortly after Elon Musk’s takeover of the company. The labels, including the one on Mr. Galloway’s account, were removed that same day. The abrupt policy reversal has drawn attention to the company’s evolving approach to content moderation under Musk’s leadership.

Legal Developments

This week’s court orders follow X’s filing of its long-overdue defence in the case, which denies Mr. Galloway’s allegations. The affidavit requirement will now force both sides to formally attest to the truth of their claims. For X, this includes standing over its decision to apply the label to Mr. Galloway’s account.

The removal of the labelling policy and the leadership changes at X could complicate the company’s efforts to explain and justify its past actions. Mr. Galloway’s legal team has already highlighted the challenge X may face in finding individuals willing to swear to the rationale behind the now-abandoned policy.

What’s Next

Mr. Galloway, a former British Labour MP, filed the case in Dublin, home to X’s European headquarters, citing the platform’s refusal to provide clarity on its labelling decisions. He has described the “Russian state-affiliated media” designation as “unjust and perverse,” calling it a daily blow to his identity and credibility.

The affidavit deadline represents a significant milestone in the proceedings, requiring both sides to formally substantiate their respective claims. With costs awarded against X and attention now shifting to the evidentiary basis for its defence, the case underscores the broader challenge for social media platforms in navigating accountability for their past actions, particularly in the context of evolving policies and leadership changes.