Problem:
Defendants launched their colossal mass-surveillance and censorship program, in close cooperation with government officials, probably the largest mass-surveillance and mass-censorship program in American history—the so-called “Election Integrity Partnership” and “Virality Project.” Four entities—Stanford Internet Observatory, University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public, Graphika, and the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Lab—collaborate closely with federal, state, and local government officials to monitor and censor disfavored viewpoints on social media. This government-private censorship consortium tramples on the First Amendment rights, privacy interests, and business expectations of millions of Americans.
Action:
AFL, together with co-counsel John Sauer, Esq. and local counsel Julianna Petchak Parks and team, filed a lawsuit against these individuals and organizations seeking compensatory and punitive damages for its clients and the proposed class.
Result:
The court denied the defendant’s motion to dismiss. The case is currently being litigated.
Links:
- America First Legal Files Landmark Federal Class-Action Lawsuit Against Private Entities that Conspired with the Federal Government to Censor Speech
- VICTORY - U.S. District Court Denies Stanford Internet Observatory, Atlantic Council, and Aspen Institute's Attempt to Dismiss AFL Lawsuit Over Mass-Surveillance and Censorship Program; Grants Discovery
