Lawsuits Against X (Formerly Twitter) to Be Heard in US District Court for the Northern District of Texas
The upcoming lawsuits against X (formerly Twitter) will soon be heard in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas. This shift was recently announced as part of a series of changes to X’s terms of service and privacy policy. The changes are scheduled to go into effect on November 15, prompting discussions among legal and tech experts about the implications of this move.
Owner Elon Musk made headlines by relocating the social media company’s headquarters from San Francisco to Bastrop, Texas, near Austin. However, it’s worth noting that Bastrop falls within Texas’ Western District. On the other hand, the Northern District of Texas has emerged as a hub for conservative activists challenging Democratic policies, with a majority of its active judges appointed by Republican presidents.
While companies typically specify in their terms of service where lawsuits can be filed, the decision to choose the Northern District of Texas over the Northern District of California, which is a popular choice for tech companies, has raised eyebrows. Cornell law professor G.S. Hans described this choice as “weird”, pointing out that the Texas district lacks the same level of experience and history with tech-related lawsuits.