Yazılar

German Activists Sue X Over Lack of Election Influence Data

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Two activist groups have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s social media platform X, accusing it of violating European law by refusing to provide necessary data to track disinformation ahead of Germany’s national election on February 23. The Society for Civil Rights (GFF) and Democracy Reporting International (DRI) claim that X is not offering systematic access to important information, such as the reach of posts, likes, and shares, which other platforms have made available for monitoring.

According to Michael Meyer-Resende of DRI, the groups have the right to access this data under the European Union’s Digital Services Act. Despite requests, X has not granted access to the data needed for tracking public debates on the platform.

The lawsuit comes amid heightened concerns over online disinformation ahead of elections in Europe, especially after the controversial presidential election in Romania in 2024, which was allegedly influenced by a Russian-driven social media campaign, though Moscow denied any involvement.

The situation is further complicated by Musk’s endorsement of Germany’s far-right political party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), and his continued influence over the platform. Since taking control of Twitter (now X), Musk has limited access to data for researchers, charging for what was previously free, raising concerns about transparency and potential misuse of the platform in democratic processes.

 

Musk’s Lawsuit Against OpenAI May Proceed to Trial, Judge Says

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A U.S. District Judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, announced on Tuesday that parts of Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI could go to trial, with Musk himself required to testify in court. The case, which centers on Musk’s effort to block OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit entity, is evolving into a public legal battle between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Judge Rogers, presiding in Oakland, California, stated that “something is going to trial in this case,” and indicated that Musk would be called to the stand to present his case to a jury. She also noted that Musk’s legal team had not provided sufficient evidence to issue a preliminary injunction halting the transition, suggesting the possibility of an evidentiary hearing where both sides could present witnesses and evidence.

The case stems from Musk’s claims that OpenAI’s founders initially approached him to help fund a nonprofit organization focused on developing artificial intelligence (AI) for the benefit of humanity. However, Musk contends that OpenAI has since shifted its focus to making a profit. Musk’s lawsuit, filed last year, expanded to include antitrust and other claims against the company. He has asked the court to prevent OpenAI from completing its transition to a for-profit business.

OpenAI, in its defense, has moved to dismiss Musk’s claims, arguing that Musk should focus on competing in the marketplace rather than through legal channels. The company argues that restructuring to a for-profit entity is necessary to secure the capital needed to continue developing advanced AI models. A recent fundraising round of $6.6 billion and a potential future round of up to $25 billion from SoftBank hinge on OpenAI’s restructuring.

The situation has raised questions about the unusual nature of nonprofit organizations converting into for-profit entities. Rose Chan Loui, executive director of the UCLA Law Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofits, pointed out that such transitions are typically seen in health care sectors, not in venture capital-backed tech companies.

 

Engineers Behind Musk’s Efforts to Reshape U.S. Government Infrastructure

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Elon Musk is reportedly relying on a group of young engineers with limited government experience to support his ambitious reshaping of U.S. federal government infrastructure. Here are details on three key figures playing a significant role in this transformation:

Gavin Kliger
Gavin Kliger, a former senior software engineer at AI startup Databrinks, has been serving as a “Special Advisor to the Director” at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) since January 2024. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 2020 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, boasting an impressive GPA of 3.95. Kliger has previously worked at Twitter and is known for his writings on Substack, where he has published essays on topics such as political figures like Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth. His writings echo some of the same themes Musk is known for, particularly around challenging entrenched power structures. Kliger has remained active on social media, reposting Musk’s statements and aligning himself with Musk’s tech-driven goals, including promoting the idea of transforming government efficiency.

Luke Farritor
Luke Farritor, a former intern at SpaceX, where he contributed to the development of software for fueling rockets, has a background in computer science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Farritor is a Thiel Fellow, having received $100,000 to focus on a project involving ancient Greek scrolls. His deep ties to the tech world, particularly Musk’s ventures, extend to his role as an executive engineer in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Farritor has also gained access to USAID systems and has been involved in efforts to integrate Musk’s technology into federal systems, including requests for access to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ payment systems. His growing influence in government tech initiatives signals his role in Musk’s push for modernization.

Edward Coristine
Edward Coristine, a young tech entrepreneur with a brief tenure at Musk’s Neuralink, is listed as an expert at OPM. Coristine, who reportedly graduated from high school and attended Northeastern University, has already founded several tech companies, including one called Tesla.Sexy LLC, and has contributed to Neuralink’s code base. His business ventures are based out of New Canaan, Connecticut, and he has been involved in cutting-edge tech projects. Despite his brief experience, Coristine’s entrepreneurial background and involvement with Musk’s initiatives reflect the kind of fresh, non-traditional talent Musk is bringing to government functions.

Together, these engineers reflect Musk’s strategy of relying on highly skilled, non-governmental experts to drive innovation and shake up bureaucratic processes in the U.S. federal government.