Company X Blocks The Onion’s Bid for InfoWars’ Social Media Accounts
Company X opposed The Onion’s attempt to acquire InfoWars’ assets as part of bankruptcy proceedings. X’s legal representatives asserted that the platform retains “full ownership rights” over all accounts and firmly opposes their transfer. The social media company has requested the court to prohibit the inclusion of these accounts in the auction.
X’s attorneys explained that users are granted only the right to utilize their accounts, while the company retains absolute control over them. This approach is common among many IT companies, which outline such terms in their user agreements. The document emphasizes that X owns all accounts on its platform and has the authority to manage profiles as it sees fit.
X cited the case of Vital Pharm as precedent. In that instance, the court ruled that Twitter and Instagram accounts used by the company’s CEO to promote the brand were the property of the company, not the individual. However, such cases are rare, and typically the transfer of accounts during company sales or bankruptcies proceeds without dispute.
In the InfoWars case, however, X chose to intervene. InfoWars’ owner, Alex Jones, claimed that Elon Musk was defending his rights, describing this as a “significant moment for free speech.” Jones noted that Musk had previously reinstated his account and frequently criticized The Onion, which could be a contributing factor to the conflict.
In its statement, X argued that transferring InfoWars’ accounts infringes upon the platform’s ownership rights. The company underscored that it maintains full control over user accounts, even when they are operated by organizations or individuals. Among the contested accounts are @infowars, @BANNEDdotVIDEO, @WarRoomShow, and @RealAlexJones. According to X, neither Jones nor his company, Free Speech Systems, has the right to sell these accounts as they have never legally owned them.
Alex Jones declared bankruptcy after being ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook school shooting victims. Jones had repeatedly claimed that the tragedy was a hoax, statements that led to the legal proceedings. A federal court is now deliberating whether The Onion can complete the purchase. Possible outcomes include approving the sale, holding a new auction, or awarding the assets to another bidder. Hearings on the matter could take place as early as December.
