Are Social Media Platforms a Public Utility and Domain ?

[UFO]

Originally Posted by wingssail

There have been a lot of complaints mostly from the right side of the political spectrum that Internet companies have deprived them of their right to free speech.

They believe they have been censored.

But I believe that the Internet companies (just like newspapers) also have the right of free speech, including the right not to say something if they don't want to.

Why should an Internet company be forced to publish any opinion they disagree with?

Unless facebook, twitter, et al, are considered a public space, like the town square, owned by the public, I think they retain the right to their free speech, including the right not to speak, including not to publish something they don't like.

I don't see how we can have it both ways: They are not a public utility but they have to act as if they are and give everyone a voice?

But this also goes beyond these platforms when ISP's, Paypal and Merchant gateway services remove their services for political or other reasons - Pretty certain Wikileaks and many others got nailed on this front.


Also if Google drops you out of sight on search listings, you may as well to a degree not be there.

[GordMay]

Remember the 1980s, and "Just say no"?

[GordMay]

Is this “Free Speech”, as we understand it, and should it be protected?
➥ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/mc...n-laden-photo/

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Is this “Free Speech”, as we understand it, and should it be protected?
➥ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/mc...n-laden-photo/

That has to be fake, John McCain standing with Lindsey Graham ---- no way!

[GordMay]

The Alethea Group tracks disinformation ➥ https://www.aletheagroup.com/

Case Study:
COVID-19 Vaccine Disinformation
“Almost as soon as the pandemic began, disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracies about a vaccine started taking hold online, aimed at promoting distrust and sowing confusion in a way that could prolong the pandemic.
The narratives have continued since the vaccine was deployed, and we anticipate will grow in the new year. From August to November, Alethea Group identified and analyzed the top false or misleading narratives circulating online about the COVID-19 vaccine. We found the narratives to be largely consistent across events related to the vaccine, such as development and approval. We analyzed content across mainstream social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. We also identified the top websites publishing false news-like content on the coronavirus vaccine. From the data, we found popular narratives by analyzing the text and conducting topic modeling ...”
More ➥ https://14ed461d-cb57-414f-a4b7-6e72...6cdd49dffe.pdf

More Althea Stories ➥ https://www.aletheagroup.com/resources

[UFO]

Originally Posted by GordMay

The Alethea Group tracks disinformation ➥ https://www.aletheagroup.com/

Case Study:
COVID-19 Vaccine Disinformation
“Almost as soon as the pandemic began, disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracies about a vaccine started taking hold online, aimed at promoting distrust and sowing confusion in a way that could prolong the pandemic.
The narratives have continued since the vaccine was deployed, and we anticipate will grow in the new year. From August to November, Alethea Group identified and analyzed the top false or misleading narratives circulating online about the COVID-19 vaccine. We found the narratives to be largely consistent across events related to the vaccine, such as development and approval. We analyzed content across mainstream social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. We also identified the top websites publishing false news-like content on the coronavirus vaccine. From the data, we found popular narratives by analyzing the text and conducting topic modeling ...”
More ➥ https://14ed461d-cb57-414f-a4b7-6e72...6cdd49dffe.pdf

More Althea Stories ➥ https://www.aletheagroup.com/resources

Hmm Alethea - Bit of an Oxymoron there I think

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by UFO

Hmm Alethea - Bit of an Oxymoron there I think

How do you 'figger' that, Alethea being the name of the Greek goddess of truth?

Oh right, you subscribe to 'alternate facts'.

[UFO]

Originally Posted by GordMay

How do you 'figger' that, Alethea being the name of the Greek goddess of truth?

Oh right, you subscribe to 'alternate facts'.

Oh Named after a Goddess of Truth, sorry my mistake....Not.



Tag Line - Protecting Brands, Bottom Line - Who do you think their customers are? Think about it, if you have that ability left in you?

[Yihang]

How Google and Apple banned Parler was a bit harsh. One thing to get censored on a platform but another to have your platform completely banned from the internet.

This way apple and google can stop any Alt platform from developing.

https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-app...apitol-attack/

[UFO]

Originally Posted by Yihang

How Google and Apple banned Parler was a bit harsh. One thing to get censored on a platform but another to have your platform completely banned from the internet.

This way apple and google can stop any Alt platform from developing.

https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-app...apitol-attack/

Amazon are removing them from their servers as well - looks like they al don't like too much free speech they can not control

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by UFO

Amazon are removing them from their servers as well - looks like they al don't like too much free speech they can not control

There was that little problem with Parler posters(s) saying Pence should be executed.

[Adelie]

This thread has been closed and looks to stay that way.

When it started we were on the fence about whether this was going to become a political bun fight requiring significant moderation effort but we decided to give it a shot.

Then it devolved into various members trading barbs, COVID and became a discussion about whether one side or the other in US politics was getting screwed over more.

The original topic was whether companies should be able to control what content is posted on their social media platforms and if not who if anybody gets to decide.