Read on Twitter
A few of my thoughts about big tech censorship and why the public should unilaterally condemn it from all sides:
(a thread)
(a thread)
It's important to remember there are only a few dozen decision-makers and only a handful of billionaires running big tech firms that have complete control over free speech on the internet.
These few people control public discourse on the internet. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1347688827381448704
These few people control public discourse on the internet. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1347688827381448704
Yesterday's actions by Twitter were completely legal, let's be clear about that.
HOWEVER...
That is the issue we need to discuss.
Deplatforming President Trump among other accounts simply because you disagree with their opinions puts free speech in a dangerous downward spiral.
HOWEVER...
That is the issue we need to discuss.
Deplatforming President Trump among other accounts simply because you disagree with their opinions puts free speech in a dangerous downward spiral.
Why were these actions legal? Section 230.
47 U.S.C. § 230 allows social media giants to waive the rights of the content posted to their platforms so they are unable to be sued if anything illegal, damaging or violent is uploaded to their platform. https://www.eff.org/issues/cda230
47 U.S.C. § 230 allows social media giants to waive the rights of the content posted to their platforms so they are unable to be sued if anything illegal, damaging or violent is uploaded to their platform. https://www.eff.org/issues/cda230
President Trump was wrong for calling for a complete repeal of Section 230. Instead, we should work on reforming it.
230 provides protection for smaller social networks. If it wasn't for 230, small social networks like Parler would be sued into oblivion from every angle.
230 provides protection for smaller social networks. If it wasn't for 230, small social networks like Parler would be sued into oblivion from every angle.
Let's be clear - either a platform editorializes everything or editorializes nothing.
NYT, for example, editorializes everything posted on their website.
Twitter, on the other hand, acts as a public square for discussion yet selectively editorializes content they disagree with.
NYT, for example, editorializes everything posted on their website.
Twitter, on the other hand, acts as a public square for discussion yet selectively editorializes content they disagree with.
Big tech SHOULD NOT be allowed to editorialize content they disagree with while letting other content stay up.
Again, you either editorialize everything or editorialize nothing.
Again, you either editorialize everything or editorialize nothing.
On the other side of things, you have Apple & Google who efficiently control all apps installed on mobile smartphones.
Once Apple and Google ban an app, people are virtually unable to use it unless they use a web-based version which is troublesome. https://protonmail.com/blog/apple-app-store-antitrust/
Once Apple and Google ban an app, people are virtually unable to use it unless they use a web-based version which is troublesome. https://protonmail.com/blog/apple-app-store-antitrust/
Parler was already deplatformed from the Google Play Store and is set to be removed from the Apple App Store come Monday.
These billionaire corporations should not be allowed to legally do this.
Yet, they are, because of Section 230. https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/8/22220366/apple-google-parler-pressure-deplatform-violence-capitol
These billionaire corporations should not be allowed to legally do this.
Yet, they are, because of Section 230. https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/8/22220366/apple-google-parler-pressure-deplatform-violence-capitol
My Advice:
Pressure your representatives on reforming Section 230.
There is no point in making new Twitter alternatives if they can be shut down in mere seconds, completely legally, by the Big Tech corporations.
Reform 230 to tell big tech they cannot selectively editorialize.
Pressure your representatives on reforming Section 230.
There is no point in making new Twitter alternatives if they can be shut down in mere seconds, completely legally, by the Big Tech corporations.
Reform 230 to tell big tech they cannot selectively editorialize.
People from the right, center and left should all be concerned about these actions by the big tech corporations.
This is not how a healthy democracy works.
In regards to what Trump's next moves are, we shall see. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/08/trump-tweets-from-potus-handle-account-says-looking-at-the-possibilities-of-building-out-our-own-platform.html
This is not how a healthy democracy works.
In regards to what Trump's next moves are, we shall see. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/08/trump-tweets-from-potus-handle-account-says-looking-at-the-possibilities-of-building-out-our-own-platform.html
After consideration, I have decided to keep my Twitter account active.
I recommend joining Gab, a free-speech alternative to Twitter that was built 100% in-house without relying on big tech.
Their platform is also coincidentally better in my opinion.
https://gab.com/JeffTutorials
I recommend joining Gab, a free-speech alternative to Twitter that was built 100% in-house without relying on big tech.
Their platform is also coincidentally better in my opinion.
https://gab.com/JeffTutorials
