Digital Public Forums - Govt. vs. Elon

#1

MontyPython

Dorothy Mantooth is a saint!
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#1
The EU introduced new laws in August 2023 which regulate the kind of content that is allowed online.

The Digital Services Act requires so-called "very large online platforms" to proactively remove "illegal content", and show they have taken measures to do so if requested.

The EU told the BBC it was not currently in a position to comment on what would come next in these specific cases, but explained what was hypothetically possible under the law.

The DSA allows the EU to conduct interviews and inspections and, if it is unsatisfied, proceed to a formal investigation.

If it decides that a platform has not complied or is not addressing the problems it has identified, and risks harming users, the commission can take more drastic steps.

This can include a heavy fine, and as a last resort it can even request judges ban the platform from the EU temporarily.

In contrast, when Elon bought Twiiter, he swore to promote more free speech and allow Twitter to become a public square to freely debate issues. He's championed the concept that free speech cannot constitute illegal content, because it's just that: free speech.

Granted, the DSA only affects Europe for now, but the world can't have it both ways - unfiltered AND "approved" communication.

What's right / wrong / best / worst?

As Americans, our right to free speech has always been limited - whether we admit this or not. For example, you will be arrested if you yell "FIRE!!!" in a movie theater. But what about our "right" to post things online that are demonstratively false, hurtful or vulgar?

As we speak, Twitter X is banning accounts and removing posts concerning the Israel situation. But this goes way beyond just this one issue.

We even see Big Brother here on Volnation... editing / removing our posts and/or even banning members for posts deemed "inappropriate".

All of which begs the question...

How should our government handle our "digital public forums"?
 
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#4
#4
The EU introduced new laws in August 2023 which regulate the kind of content that is allowed online.

The Digital Services Act requires so-called "very large online platforms" to proactively remove "illegal content", and show they have taken measures to do so if requested.

The EU told the BBC it was not currently in a position to comment on what would come next in these specific cases, but explained what was hypothetically possible under the law.

The DSA allows the EU to conduct interviews and inspections and, if it is unsatisfied, proceed to a formal investigation.

If it decides that a platform has not complied or is not addressing the problems it has identified, and risks harming users, the commission can take more drastic steps.

This can include a heavy fine, and as a last resort it can even request judges ban the platform from the EU temporarily.

In contrast, when Elon bought Twiiter, he swore to promote more free speech and allow Twitter to become a public square to freely debate issues.

Granted, the DSA only affects Europe for now, but the world can't have it both ways - unfiltered AND "approved" communication.

What's right / wrong / best / worst?

As Americans, our right to free speech has always been limited - whether we admit this or not. For example, you will be arrested if you yell "FIRE!!!" in a movie theater. But what about our "right" to post things online that are demonstratively false, hurtful or vulger?

As we speak, Twitter X is banning accounts and removing posts concerning the Israel situation. But this goes way beyond just this one issue.

We even see Big Brother here on Volnation... editing / removing our posts and/or even banning members for posts deemed "inappropriate".

How should our government handle our "digital public forums"?

I don't understand what is meant by "illegal content."

What's best is to leave it up to the platform. Let 4chan be 4chan, let Twitter be Twitter, and let Volnation be Volnation. Nothing is more broken than it would be with increased government involvement.
 
#7
#7
Our government should stay the **** out of it.
Just to play devil's advocate, what if someone anonymously posts slanderous, horrible online posts about you or your loved ones?

You subsequently complain to Twitter X, and they tell you "Sorry. We don't filter content."

So private industry won't intervene and, per your wishes, the government doesn't regulate the industry.

Now what do you do?
 
#8
#8
Just to play devil's advocate, what if someone anonymously posts slanderous, horrible online posts about you or your loved ones?

You subsequently complain to Twitter X, and they tell you "Sorry. We don't filter content."

Now what do you do?

File a slander suit. How do you think the almighty .gov would handle this? Yep, I'd have to file suit or some other legal action to prove slander.
 
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#9
#9
Elon has stated he believes in free speech to the extent that the law allows it (to be completely fair however he was meaning the current US law).

Also fire in a theatre is a bad and overused example. The issue is that it’s a call to action. No different than saying “let’s all kill Hog”.
 
#10
#10
Just to play devil's advocate, what if someone anonymously posts slanderous, horrible online posts about you or your loved ones?

You subsequently complain to Twitter X, and they tell you "Sorry. We don't filter content."

So private industry won't intervene and, per your wishes, the government doesn't regulate the industry.

Now what do you do?

You realize we have ways to handle that exact scenario today without any additional legislation, right?
 
#11
#11
File a slander suit. How do you think the almighty .gov would handle this? Yep, I'd have to file suit or some other legal action to prove slander.
OK, so our courtrooms get filled with slander suits. Just one problem...

What are the damages you / your loved ones incurred?

Good luck proving that.
 
#12
#12
I don't understand what is meant by "illegal content."

What's best is to leave it up to the platform. Let 4chan be 4chan, let Twitter be Twitter, and let Volnation be Volnation. Nothing is more broken than it would be with increased government involvement.
Without looking at the link Monty posted, my assumption would be that which runs counter to the current agenda and narratives being pushed by the bureaucratic apparatus which would be difficult as it would always be a fluid, moving target. One day you’re fine saying “x”, next day you’ve broken “the law”.
 
#13
#13
Elon has stated he believes in free speech to the extent that the law allows it (to be completely fair however he was meaning the current US law).

Also fire in a theatre is a bad and overused example. The issue is that it’s a call to action. No different than saying “let’s all kill Hog”.

Hey now.
 
#17
#17
Elon has stated he believes in free speech to the extent that the law allows it (to be completely fair however he was meaning the current US law).

Also fire in a theatre is a bad and overused example. The issue is that it’s a call to action. No different than saying “let’s all kill Hog”.
except when it comes to tracking his plane flights. information that is freely available for anyone to find/use
 
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#19
#19
couldn't get the link above to work. but what do they mean by "illegal activity"? or more precisely where/what laws?

One thing might be legal in one nation, and illegal in another. Does X block all posts that are illegal ANYWHERE? is X some how supposed to develop several hundred different filters, one for each country, that stops any illegal content for that nation? What if the poster is doing so legally, but in the viewer's nation's its illegal? or what if you are posting some pictures of you smoking weed. that's illegal to the US government but may have been legal where you smoked, whether that's a state or different country? Could you only post the "illegal" content from a place where its legal? Or can you post about "illegal" stuff you did legally somewhere else once you are back in a state/nation where its illegal?

the government should stay out of it. none of the proposed "worst case scenarios" are improved by more involvement from a government. its a world wide/Europe wide HOA of Karen's in one place deciding that your hedges are 2 inches too tall and thus should be completely removed.

its another case of the "cure" being worse than the poison. and probably/definitely wouldn't actually fix the problem.
 

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