Thread: US Government Attempting A Crackdown On Social Media

In an attempt to get Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and the like in check...

A lot of people are bringing forward bills and ideas to help protect our freedoms online just as they are offline, the main one being freedom of speech. Now I don't know all the ins and outs of what is currently being considered but do you feel this will solve the problem?

We see social media posing as both a publisher and a public service. This is the main issue and it needs to be addressed.

I heard about this as well, it sounds good on the surface is all I can really say about the proposed bill(s) themselves. There are several to my understanding, both at the state and Federal levels. While holding these companies to greater accountability and protecting constitutional rights is my #1 concern, I don't want to cross a line where the government can compel companies to do what it wants them to. In this case, that particular concern of mine does not apply for several reasons:
1. Many of these companies are publicly traded and not necessarily "private" entities
2. Many of these companies (Facebook and Google in particular) are heavily tied-in with the government to the point where I don't consider them "private" any longer. At one point I had heard that >50% of Google's workforce was ex-government.
3. Social Media companies that deal with infrastructure (mainly Google with their Fiber, cars, drones, etc. & Facebook with its startup investment) receive sizable subsidies and investment from the government directly. They are (or have been) somewhat funded by the government, so I don't really respect their right to independence from gov't control/influence in their operations.

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

First Amendment | U.S. Constitution | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

The mere fact "private" companies are doing this is one thing. But these private companies aren't really private when they are giving user data (my data) to government agencies. Zemekis, I agree with your three (3) points.

Whether the social media is a publisher or platform is one arguement that needs to be had.

Have seen many videos from Tim Pool and the like regarding this topic.

One thing that always pisses me off is when folks from large social media companies say: '..But the algorithms did it".
I always think, who wrote the algorithm?

Another thing that grinds my gears is when the bank Chase discontinued business with Joe Biggs or when patreon or paypal discontinued services with Lauren Southern, and others. Is that a form of infringing on freedom of speech?

I know that in the People's Republic of China (Communist Mainland China) they also have freedom of expression in China, but do they have a true sense of freedom there like we Westerns here in the Western Civilizations enjoy?

Thoughts? Should the State do more to preserve the public square? Should other private institutions be created to fill the void created?

I didn't like services that handle money blocking people out either. When that started happening it scared me. Like the further these nutty people push, the less you have to do to get a company to not want anything to do with you. Could you imagine if you were trying to buy a house and because some activist online called you a racist, you were declined getting a loan? That stuff needs to be protected. Social Media has too much power.

Not 100% related, but did y'all (yep, I'm from TX) hear about the Project Veritas reveal of Google and YouTube censoring/manipulating search results to coerce/influence an election???

Originally Posted by madmanmark08

Not 100% related, but did y'all (yep, I'm from TX) hear about the Project Veritas reveal of Google and YouTube censoring/manipulating search results to coerce/influence an election???

Yes, I was watching/listening to some videos about it on my drive in to work & while I got set up in the office this morning. It's just confirming what we all knew anyway so I'm not surprised. I'm just a bit worried that it's all coming near the surface this earlier...you'd think they'd do a better job hiding their shennanigans.

I'm visiting my folks in Texas starting this Saturday, I'll be in the Houston area

I think it is important for true liberals and conservatives to unite and fight this nonsense. Google and the like are getting WAY too out of hand and if people allow this to happen, they are essentially tampering with the rights people have to hear candidates express themselves. Russiangate will have nothing on Googlegate.