Deplatforming And The Future Of Social Media, Explained 🌎

Should a 1996 outlook govern a 2021 internet?

Right now big tech is able to deplatform entire businesses that are operating entirely within the law.

Both Apple and Google have removed the Parler app from their app stores, and Amazon also pulled the website from their webhosting platform. This virtually deplatformed Parler, a site with millions of users, including some participants in the recent storming of the US Capitol.

But those same participants are also on Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit, just to name a few.

So, while having Parler removed may have saved lives, what is concerning is that these tech oligarchs are deciding which product to remove. And we think that’s dangerous overreach.

As of this recording, what Parler did was not illegal because of Section 230 in the 1996 Communications Decency Act. It gives immunity to website publishers from third party content. This means that these social media platforms are not liable for what their own users publish.

If we want to change the law, we need to hold social media platforms legally responsible for content that promotes violence. And some people do think that social media platforms should have accountability for what their products do to society.

This would encourage more moderation and stricter language guidelines.

Overall, we need a 21st century legal framework for social media.

But we’re not there yet.

Subscribe to BOLD TV

Are you ready to be BOLD? Check out our favorite articles:

SAY HI ON SOCIAL:

Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook: @boldtv