Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) over claims of a potential “coordinated plan or conspiracy” to withhold advertising revenue from select social media platforms. The probe focuses on the WFA’s suborganization, the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), which allegedly spearheaded an advertiser boycott of X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
In an investigative demand letter, Paxton requested documents and information from the WFA and GARM regarding their alleged efforts to organize a boycott of platforms not meeting their “Brand Safety Standards.” The AG’s office is examining whether this constitutes an anticompetitive scheme designed to harm certain social media companies.
Paxton criticized the Biden Administration’s Department of Justice for failing to address antitrust violations, stating, “Trade organizations and companies cannot collude to block advertising revenue from entities they wish to undermine.”
The controversy gained national attention earlier this year during a House Judiciary Committee hearing where evidence was presented suggesting GARM pressured advertisers to boycott X. X owner Elon Musk responded by filing an antitrust lawsuit against the group. Musk previously called the boycott a “racket” and urged states to consider criminal action.
The investigation follows significant actions taken by platforms like X and Rumble against WFA and GARM. Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski accused the organizations of creating a monopoly to dictate advertising spending based on ideological biases, effectively punishing platforms for hosting free speech.
After the lawsuits from X and Rumble, GARM was disbanded by the WFA. However, Paxton’s investigation aims to uncover whether GARM’s actions violated antitrust laws and to ensure accountability for efforts to restrict advertising revenue based on political or ideological motives.
The probe highlights the growing clash between conservative leaders and global organizations perceived to undermine free speech on digital platforms. Paxton’s investigation may set a precedent for future actions against coordinated efforts to silence dissenting voices in the tech landscape.
