TX social media censorship bill

[Spongebob]

This doesn't do anything, since legally speaking social media companies are not banning users solely based on political opinions. Unenforceable. Next!

You are correct.  They are banning people because of things like hate speech, spreading conspiracy theories and advocating violence.  I haven't read the intent of the bill but surely it isn't targeted to allow people to advocate violence.  If it is then we have a fantastic talking point for upcoming elections.  Republicans promote for violence!

[Angrboda]

If a baker has the privilege of following his conscience, so do the companies of facebook, twitter, et al.  You thinking it would be good if we treated them as a public square does not change them into a public square.  Taking the right to run their platform as they choose out of the hands of their shareholders is simply government theft.  But I'm not surprised that you would advocate abrogating people's rights so that false claims of censorship from the right can be pacified.  That's the same blighted logic as saying that we should audit elections because a bunch of right-wingers have been sold the bill of goods that the election was stolen.  Their ignorance and belief in false claims justifies nothing.

The answer used to be if you don't like it, go to another platform. People tried that, and some of these platforms were no longer allowed to host their websites, people started getting banned from getting donations, banks won't deal with them anymore, etc. They tried it your way, and they were squashed. This is why social media is the new town square and they have a massive influence over society and elections. It is simply election interference on every level. Russia has nothing on Google. Google is God.

The recent history is replete with counter-examples such as parler and Frank. You're telling falsehoods. And even if you weren't, that's not the bar for anti-trust action.

[The Architect Of Fate]

The answer used to be if you don't like it, go to another platform. People tried that, and some of these platforms were no longer allowed to host their websites, people started getting banned from getting donations, banks won't deal with them anymore, etc. They tried it your way, and they were squashed. This is why social media is the new town square and they have a massive influence over society and elections. It is simply election interference on every level. Russia has nothing on Google. Google is God.

Yup and those other sites are hotbeds for violent extremists. So yeah nobody wants to deal with a site like that, And not publishing wacky fringe bullshit is not election interference nor are socially obligated to allow it on their platform. So take your whinging and shove it.

[Spongebob]

I always like to compare social media to the old formats of mass media, news papers. Would a town newspaper print vile hate-filled and speech that advocated violence in its op-ed section? I know newspapers printed lies because I know of very specific cases, but these were more subtle and could be argued to just be opinions.

[Pat Mustard]

How much TNT would it take to dislodge TX from the US?

Be patient, I think TX Republicans have overplayed their hand by putting their theoretical ideas into actual practice. IMHO, there's going to be a significant backlash in next year's election; tipping TX towards the blue side of purple.

If the citizens of Texas are let vote. Remember there are a myriad of US states with electoral systems that would have Enver Hoxha calling out "you're going too far there, lad"
, and Texas is one of the worst.