General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTo the MAGAs complaining about Trump getting banned from social media:
Last edited Wed May 5, 2021, 06:44 PM - Edit history (2)
Let me make something perfectly clear: You are *NOT* entitled to social media accounts. Social media may be free speech, you can argue that point. But the corporations who control the platforms you use - whether it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, etc, are privately owned companies. They own the sites. They make the rules. They can determine who gets to use their sites, through this thing that literally all social media platforms have called a "Terms Of Service Agreement". Which is a set of rules that can dictate who can and cannot use their sites. And you most likely didn't read it.
And let me say this as someone who has moderated multiple message boards in my tenure on the internet in terms that you can understand. Think of it like your driver's license. If you use your driver's license irresponsibly - whether you get in a DUI or you get in a serious accident, or even arrested, you can have that license taken away. Getting banned for using your account irresponsibly, whether it's through death threats, racist / sexist language, or harassing people, is like getting a speeding or parking ticket. The more tickets you accumulate, the more of a case that the owners of these sites have for taking away your account.
That's how it works. Every single site you've ever been to on the internet has at least a basic set of rules. Even those far right websites, like Parler, GAB, and Telegram have TOS agreements, even if they don't necessarily police or enforce the speech rules. Yes, a user who makes death threats, uses threatening language, and harasses people whether it's racist or sexist, would be considered a risk to the owners and moderators of any of these sites. It doesn't matter what their platform or message is. By calling for violence, and repeatedly harassing people, Trump acted irresponsibly and Twitter and Facebook acted accordingly.
Irresponsible behavior isn't tolerated on the internet, period. It doesn't matter who you are. If you're an abusive jerk, you will get found out and banned for it. And yes, our previous president repeatedly engaged in irresponsible behavior. It finally took a massive act of violence for him to get the axe no matter how many times he was called out on it. The internet may be the new public square, but we still have rules and decency standards. You can make up all the conspiracies you want about things like "shadow banning" (whatever that is) but they simply aren't true.
If you can't understand how to follow the rules, then maybe you need to go back to pre-school and kindergarten and learn some basic manners, and see how quickly not following the rules and repeatedly flaunting your boorish behavior gets you sent to the principle's office. You're not getting banned or de-platformed because you're a conservative posting conservative views on the internet. You're getting banned or de-platformed because you're an abusive jerk who repeatedly breaks the rules. And that's not on the companies who own, run, police, and advertise on these social media sites. That's you.
world wide wally
(21,739 posts)Period
Initech
(100,041 posts)Haggard Celine
(16,835 posts)the first time Trump had paid any consequences for a lifetime of egregious behavior. It never occurred to him that he could be banned, I bet, and he's still having trouble accepting that reality. Kudos to Facebook for not giving him a free platform to disseminate his toxic ideas. The country deserves to have some peace after all we've been through all these years.
Initech
(100,041 posts)I'm guessing no punishment really fazes him. That's what happens when you elect a psychopath president.
Haggard Celine
(16,835 posts)He cheated on all 3 of his wives, and his attitude was just to trade the previous wife in for a new model. He's definitely a psychopath, cares only for himself. If he helps any of his 'friends' in trouble, it's because he still needs them for something or they have dirt on him.
Under The Radar
(3,401 posts).....than escorting outside the drunk, belligerent old man that just pissed himself in the front pew at Sunday church services.
He can just take his free speech outside.
Initech
(100,041 posts)Or a police car!
Efilroft Sul
(3,578 posts)The Trumpanzees, however, believe they are above any punishment whatsoever.
Initech
(100,041 posts)Racists don't like being called racist. Just ask Tucker Carlson about that one! Drrr... what's a white supremacist?
keithbvadu2
(36,667 posts)Terrorist got maced
Revolution was supposed to be easy
https://i.imgur.com/ZLibzBY.mp4
Efilroft Sul
(3,578 posts)I laughed at Trump supporters for days. They wanted to be feared; they got mockery instead.
Blue Owl
(50,271 posts)Caliman73
(11,726 posts)More simply, it is the government that is halted from infringing on Free Speech, not private citizens or private owners. You can say what you want about the government, but you cannot say it in my house, or I can kick you out. You can't say it in Google, Twitter, or Facebook's house either. If you want to buy your own site, servers, distribution network, etc... then you can also say what you want without worrying about getting kicked off your own site.
Also, as you said, there are limits, even to free speech on your own website. You cannot threaten people by name or incite people to violence. both of which Trump did. Doing that brings, or should bring the attention of authorities upon you.
Initech
(100,041 posts)They have to solicit banks and investors to make money, and if you have users who are considered risks on your site, you have to get rid of them even if they lose you investors. And even the President is not immune. Donny Shit For Brains finally stepped in it and got his ass expelled. It's that simple.