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SpaceX sues Paxton to block Texas records release

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 5:24 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

SpaceX Sues Paxton

SpaceX filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Grimes County.
The suit was filed on Sept. 8 in the 126th District Court in Travis County.
SpaceX seeks a declaratory judgment to block the records.
SpaceX also requests a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction.
Paxton’s office argues most documents must be released under the Texas Public Information Act.

Summary

SpaceX Seeks Secrecy

National AI watchdog groups urge openness as SpaceX seeks to keep tax-break records secret.
Public Citizen’s July report warned nondisclosure agreements on data-center projects silence community input.
Governor Greg Abbott told ABC News developers often lack local support before launching AI data centers.
Microsoft announced in March it will stop using nondisclosure agreements with municipalities to boost transparency.
OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Meta and others pledge openness while SpaceX pursues secrecy.

History

Historical Context

The Telecommunications Act, enacted Jan 3 1996 and signed Feb 8 1996 by President Bill Clinton, opened all communications markets to competition and added the Internet to federal regulation. By 2001 four firms controlled 85% of the telephone network, showing consolidation. That legacy fuels SpaceX’s 2024 lawsuit against Texas officials Ken Paxton and Greg Abbott over data-center transparency, prompting Public Citizen to demand stricter enforcement of the Texas Public Information Act.

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SpaceX Sues Paxton

SpaceX filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Grimes County.
The suit was filed on Sept. 8 in the 126th District Court in Travis County.
SpaceX seeks a declaratory judgment to block the records.
SpaceX also requests a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction.
Paxton’s office argues most documents must be released under the Texas Public Information Act.

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