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These companies started and grew by operating platforms for free speech. Now after capturing huge followings, these companies have escalated editorializing, post removal and member bannings for nothing besides disagreement over political issues. The federal government has been shielding internet forums assuming that they represent platforms. As of today this assumption is officially gone. As social media companies get sued in court for the above actions they will be forced to prove that they are not editorializing in order to claim the old "platform" status.
The administrative branch granted special treatment for specific restraints. These companies have ceased to follow the restraints, and they are losing their special status.
The most popular forums have become social "institutions", and are subject to regulation. It will not surprise me to see future legislation which creates criminal penalties for editorial control on social media forums, much like old national TV network regulations. This seems to be a popular topic on capitol hill.
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These companies started and grew by operating platforms for free speech. Now after capturing huge followings, these companies have escalated editorializing, post removal and member bannings for nothing besides disagreement over political issues. The federal government has been shielding internet forums assuming that they represent platforms. As of today this assumption is officially gone. As social media companies get sued in court for the above actions they will be forced to prove that they are not editorializing in order to claim the old "platform" status.
The administrative branch granted special treatment for specific restraints. These companies have ceased to follow the restraints, and they are losing their special status.
The most popular forums have become social "institutions", and are subject to regulation. It will not surprise me to see future legislation which creates criminal penalties for editorial control on social media forums, much like old national TV network regulations. This seems to be a popular topic on capitol hill.