This might be interesting for a topic.

Alex Jones and his InfoWars have been removed from most major social media sites.  These sites are privately owned companies.

Not a problem?  A problem?

Companies should be able to do what they want, period. But the left needs to figure that shit out. How do they agree with this but bake the fucking cake? Also, hate speech isn't a thing so I hope there isn't anyone stupid enough on this site to think that.

I voted private companies can do what they want and the hypocrisy on both sides brings the lulz though.  In this case the left cheering this move, while  conservatives crying about it.

I also do think it is something to be concerned about considering the left continuously moves the goalposts on their definition of racists/white supremacists/fascists/bigots/etc to the point that ordinary people are starting to be grouped into those categories. 

Companies should be able to do what they want, especially if it involves the culling of asshole morons who encourage the stalking of families of shooting victims because they're "crisis actors" from actual society. On a side note, is there anyone on this site who pays actual serious attention to Jones? I could see CC (stupid), QO (blind partisan "he said what I think" rhetoric) or Belly (paranoid conspiracy theory fanboy)

I also do think it is something to be concerned about considering the left continuously moves the goalposts on their definition of racists/white supremacists/fascists/bigots/etc to the point that ordinary people are starting to be grouped into those categories. 

The best is the whole women and race thing. They LOVE feminism and minorities until a black woman disagrees with their views. It’s hilarious. That said I agree with your statement. Same way they call Ben Shapiro a racist or Candace Owens out for not hating white people but literally saying fuck white people is fine.

Voted for private companies should be allowed to set their own perimeters of what is acceptable on their own platform.

I used to be an admin on a very large forum (for gaming) and the argument from players was continuous and stupid.

Loling at liberals favoring censorship. 

I’m not a fan of the private company can do whatever they want argument in this scenario. These companies have a monopoly on social media. I think as long as the person is following the same rules as everyone else on the platform then they shouldn’t be able to take any sort of action. In this case from what I’ve read Jones has broken many of those rules and deserved what he got. 

posted by CenterBHSFan

Voted for private companies should be allowed to set their own perimeters of what is acceptable on their own platform.

I used to be an admin on a very large forum (for gaming) and the argument from players was continuous and stupid.

I voted the same thing - not sure they enforce it equitably, though.  

Yeah, being an admin is a thankless job.  I'm an assistant admin on one FB closed group.  Deleted one post by a guy who clearly violated the group's stated purpose.  He came back with "You're violating my First Amendment rights - who do you think you are?"    I resisted the urge to say "The boss of you!".   

Companies listed in thread title arent private are they?  Arent they publicly traded stock?

Too many poll options, so didn’t vote. Hope this helps. 

Inforwars was never banned. It's a hoax and Alex Jones is a crisis actor. 
 

posted by SportsAndLady

Too many poll options, so didn’t vote. Hope this helps. 

Sounds like you've joined me in the IDGAF crowd. Welcome. 

DGAF

Alex Jones is some of the best comedy out there. I don't watch or listen to him, but some of the clips of him are pretty damn hilarious. These companies can do what they want, though I'd say they their justifications are kinda flimsy. Also, I've seen that his app on the Apple app store became an immensely popular download almost immediately after he was kicked off of these platforms. And I've seen that signups for his newsletter or email list or whatever have increased dramatically. So, good job?

posted by Spock

Companies listed in thread title arent private are they?  Arent they publicly traded stock?

 

Good God, are you serious with this?

posted by justincredible

Alex Jones is some of the best comedy out there. I don't watch or listen to him, but some of the clips of him are pretty damn hilarious. These companies can do what they want, though I'd say they their justifications are kinda flimsy. Also, I've seen that his app on the Apple app store became an immensely popular download almost immediately after he was kicked off of these platforms. And I've seen that signups for his newsletter or email list or whatever have increased dramatically. So, good job?

Is it funny if you're a parent of a Sandy Hook victim? They've been stalked and harassed and have had to move to protect their safety. Would it be funny to have to move away and not get to visit your child's grave due to some lunatic with equally crazy followers?

I guess I just don't see the humor.

posted by Fab4Runner

Is it funny if you're a parent of a Sandy Hook victim? They've been stalked and harassed and have had to move to protect their safety. Would it be funny to have to move away and not get to visit your child's grave due to some lunatic with equally crazy followers?

I guess I just don't see the humor.

Yes, he's completely over the line with that stuff and I'm sure you know I don't find it funny. But he has an entire catalog of outrageousness that is funny. 

posted by Fab4Runner

Is it funny if you're a parent of a Sandy Hook victim? They've been stalked and harassed and have had to move to protect their safety. Would it be funny to have to move away and not get to visit your child's grave due to some lunatic with equally crazy followers?

I guess I just don't see the humor.

Oh for Christ sake 

Lol okay. Some people are just gross, and he's one of those people. 

I find The Cosby show funny. I don't find rape funny.

posted by justincredible

I find The Cosby show funny. I don't find rape funny.

The Cosby show wasn't about rape. 
His batshit show is about doxing victims. Bad analogy. 

posted by Spock

Companies listed in thread title arent private are they?  Arent they publicly traded stock?

You do know that "publicly traded" companies are still "privately owned," right?  Please say yes.
 

posted by SportsAndLady

Too many poll options, so didn’t vote. Hope this helps. 

Thoughts and prayers.

posted by kizer permanente

The Cosby show wasn't about rape. 
His batshit show is about doxing victims. Bad analogy. 

Fair enough. Like I said, I don't watch or listen to his show so I don't know the extent of the doxxing stuff (I do know his show is not just about doxxing victims), but the clips I've seen of him freaking out at his desk about something ridiculous are funny. Just because I find something (unintentionally) funny doesn't mean I endorse the person or all of their actions. Which is what Fab was attempting to imply with her response.

posted by Rotinaj

I’m not a fan of the private company can do whatever they want argument in this scenario. These companies have a monopoly on social media.

I've seen this sentiment elsewhere, and I get it.  However, I would disagree.

These companies may indeed be the chief source of news and information for many.  However, in form they don't have anything close to a monopoly.  Televisions news, actual news websites, radio news, newspapers and other forms of print news, etc. all exist.  Now, whether people are too apathetic or lazy to use anything but what shows up in their social media feeds may be a problem, but the responsibility to fix it rests with those same people, and not the respective companies.

posted by O-Trap

You do know that "publicly traded" companies are still "privately owned," right?  Please say yes.
 

Considering who you're talking to, I'm about 99.99999999% sure the answer is no.