Why #SiliconValley needs regulation. It's time. A thread.
Not only Twitter but also the Trump accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and other social media companies are either temporarily blocked or completely shut down
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This is how the tech companies of Silicon Valley want to protect the democratic system of the USA, which has been deeply shaken by the behavior of its top representative, the president himself. Nobody would have actually thought scenes like the one in front of the Capitol
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were possible, nobody would have thought how easily chaos and anarchy could be set off in the political heart of the USA.
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Over the years Trump has created a parallel world thanks to Twitter & Co. and in doing so, has motivated a mob that has long been unreachable via the traditional media channels.
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With lies and conspiracy theories, Trump has stylized himself as the true leader of the people. There were many supporters in this surreal side world:
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from the former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani to the sleazy election strategist Steve Bannon or the right-wing TV network Fox News from publisher Rupert Murdoch. All served as amplifiers of Trump's messages.
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But his main weapon was the digital platforms of Silicon Valley, which guaranteed him direct access to the masses. For too long they have let the POTUS indulge his agitation, lies, and perversions.
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Now, shortly before the end of his term in office, they suddenly pull the ripcord. Quite hypocritical, one might think. But it was insight at the last minute, a security measure to prevent something worse than last Wednesday.
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The global sigh of relief over the shutdown of Trump accounts shows us how powerful these corporations have become - and that they must finally be regulated and should have legal guard rails in place.
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Binding rules are needed, which are not drawn up by the Googles, Facebooks and Twitters themselves, but are prescribed by law. Europeans are well-advised to help Americans define these guard rails.
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