Facebook’s Position on Censorship Challenged – Cannot be Both a Publisher & Protected Carrier

Most social media platforms operate as a ‘protected carrier’ in law, which means that they are immune from prosecution or legal cases due to the content that is distributed via their networks. However, this only applies as long as they aren’t editorialising the content and effectively acting as a Publisher. In some senses this is a grey area since Facebook has long claimed that they have the right to determine what does and doesn’t appear on their network – yet also say they aren’t a publisher. This is a contradiction in the current eyes of the law.

A recent legal case regarding Laura Loomer has brought this issue into focus again, with Facebook’s legal team openly stating that, in fact, are a publisher. This directly contradicts statements made to the US government by members of Facebook’s team in the past. The outcome of this and related cases may result in significant changes for Facebook and other such sites – either facing them to stop censoring people or resulting them being liable for an unending stream of legal action due to them becoming liable for the actions of their users. Since the latter option would bankrupt them, it seems likely that if anything comes of this, they will be forced to stop censoring people.

Of course, you could just use existing free speech networks such as the Steem blockchain family of sites – where free speech is ingrained in the DNA and you get paid to post too! Just a suggestion!

Wishing you well,
Ura Soul

LINKS

https://www.rt.com/usa/469209-facebook-publisher-laura-loomer-lawsuit/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7487307/Facebook-refers-publisher-says-censor-wants.html

#freedom #facebook #news