Lawsuits against X will soon be heard in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas after Elon Musk changed the terms of service of his social media platform.
The company is headquartered in the Western District of Texas.
The Northern District is a destination for conservative activists seeking to challenge Democratic policies, with 10 of its 11 active judges appointed by Republican presidents.
Legal experts point out that the change could make it easier for X to protect itself from litigation. They describe the move as “forum shopping,” a tactic to find courts that might yield favorable outcomes.
Tech companies usually prefer court districts near their headquarters for legal matters due to familiarity with tech-related issues.
However, critics argue X’s choice reflects Musk’s political leanings and potential legal strategy. The billionaire has endorsed Republican president-elect Donald Trump and may have a role in the government soon.
The billionaire often shares controversial and divisive content in his posts on X. The platform has faced numerous lawsuits since Musk purchased it in 2022.
Changing the terms of service may protect X from lawsuits tied to content regulation, criticism or election-related matters.