Lawmakers are skeptical of Zuckerberg's commitment to free speech
(theverge.com)
Lawmakers are skeptical of Zuckerberg’s commitment to free speech
Lawmakers are skeptical of Zuckerberg’s commitment to free speech
Texas Judge Allows Prior Restraint to Silence a Critic of PTK Honor Society
(techdirt.com)
Welcome to the arena, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society! Here’s your Streisand Beachfront Property commemorative dinner plates which, we must inform you, contain massive amounts of lead and should never, for any reason, be used as dinner plates.
Welcome to the arena, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society! Here’s your Streisand Beachfront Property commemorative dinner plates which, we must inform you, contain massive amounts of lead and should never, for any reason, be used as dinner plates.
Site-Blocking Legislation Is Back
(eff.org)
More than a decade ago, Congress tried to pass SOPA and PIPA—two sweeping bills that would have allowed the government and copyright holders to quickly shut down entire websites based on allegations of piracy. The backlash was immediate and massive. Internet users, free speech advocates, and tech companies flooded lawmakers with protests, culminating in an “Internet Blackout” on January 18, 2012. Turns out, Americans don’t like government-run internet blacklists. The bills were ultimately shelved.
More than a decade ago, Congress tried to pass SOPA and PIPA—two sweeping bills that would have allowed the government and copyright holders to quickly shut down entire websites based on allegations of piracy. The backlash was immediate and massive. Internet users, free speech advocates, and tech companies flooded lawmakers with protests, culminating in an “Internet Blackout” on January 18, 2012. Turns out, Americans don’t like government-run internet blacklists. The bills were ultimately shelved.
Elon Musk makes request to Reddit CEO to take down posts he didn't like
(mashable.com)
Elon Musk personally reached out to the CEO of Reddit to complain about content on the platform.
Elon Musk personally reached out to the CEO of Reddit to complain about content on the platform.
Musk threatens to sic the government on people 'pushing' Tesla 'propaganda'
(theverge.com)
Self-styled free speech absolutist Elon Musk says he’s “going to go after” Tesla critics that he claims are inspiring acts of vandalism and arson against his company.
Self-styled free speech absolutist Elon Musk says he’s “going to go after” Tesla critics that he claims are inspiring acts of vandalism and arson against his company.
Section 230 Protects Users, Not Big Tech
(eff.org)
Once again, several Senators appear poised to gut one of the most important laws protecting internet users - Section 230 (47 U.S.C. § 230).
Once again, several Senators appear poised to gut one of the most important laws protecting internet users - Section 230 (47 U.S.C. § 230).
Trump seeks social media profiles of all green cards applicants
(independent.co.uk)
The Trump administration’s proposal to vet social media profiles of green card applicants already legally in the U.S. has been condemned in initial public feedback as an attack on free speech.
The Trump administration’s proposal to vet social media profiles of green card applicants already legally in the U.S. has been condemned in initial public feedback as an attack on free speech.
Sen. Durbin's proposed legislation would stifle free speech online
(suntimes.com)
The Sun-Times is free but the journalism is not. Reader support powers the news. Here's how you can help.
The Sun-Times is free but the journalism is not. Reader support powers the news. Here's how you can help.
Amazing: Mr Free Speech Zuckerberg wants to ban just one book, the one about him
(theguardian.com)
I am as shocked as I am confused that Mark Zuckerberg is going all-out to block a memoir by Facebook’s former director of global public policy, Sarah Wynn-Williams. I thought information wanted to be free? I definitely heard that speech should be. We know Meta’s revolting oligarch doesn’t write his self-serving public pronouncements, but he should at least make time in his busy Magafication schedule to read them.
I am as shocked as I am confused that Mark Zuckerberg is going all-out to block a memoir by Facebook’s former director of global public policy, Sarah Wynn-Williams. I thought information wanted to be free? I definitely heard that speech should be. We know Meta’s revolting oligarch doesn’t write his self-serving public pronouncements, but he should at least make time in his busy Magafication schedule to read them.
Yale Suspends Palestine Activist After AI Article Linked Her to Terrorism
(gizmodo.com)
The dystopian future is here. Yale University has suspended a scholar in its law school after a Jewish news website that uses AI to produce articles called her a member of a terrorist group. It comes as the Trump administration has launched a relentless campaign to silence any speech sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.
The dystopian future is here. Yale University has suspended a scholar in its law school after a Jewish news website that uses AI to produce articles called her a member of a terrorist group. It comes as the Trump administration has launched a relentless campaign to silence any speech sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.
X's globe-trotting defense of ads on Nazi posts violates TOS, Media Matters says
(arstechnica.com)
X Corp.’s decision to file in multiple jurisdictions across the globe is intended to chill Media Matters’ reporting and drive up costs—both of which it has achieved—and it is directly foreclosed by X’s own Terms of Service,
X Corp.’s decision to file in multiple jurisdictions across the globe is intended to chill Media Matters’ reporting and drive up costs—both of which it has achieved—and it is directly foreclosed by X’s own Terms of Service,
The "Take It Down" Act
(eff.org)
We've opposed the Take It Down Act because it could be easily manipulated to take down lawful content that powerful people simply don't like. Last night, President Trump demonstrated he has a similar view on the bill. He wants to sign the bill into law, then use it to remove content about — him. And he won't be the only powerful person to do so.
We've opposed the Take It Down Act because it could be easily manipulated to take down lawful content that powerful people simply don't like. Last night, President Trump demonstrated he has a similar view on the bill. He wants to sign the bill into law, then use it to remove content about — him. And he won't be the only powerful person to do so.
Bezos says WP opinion page will focus on 'personal liberties' and 'free markets'
(theguardian.com)
Amazon executive and newspaper owner says in letter that ‘viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others’
Amazon executive and newspaper owner says in letter that ‘viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others’
The FCC is a weapon in Trump's war on free speech
(theverge.com)
Brendan Carr’s mission to trash the First Amendment.
Brendan Carr’s mission to trash the First Amendment.
Copyright Is a Civil Liberties Nightmare
(eff.org)
If you’ve got lawyers and a copyright, the law gives you tremendous power to silence speech you don’t like.
If you’ve got lawyers and a copyright, the law gives you tremendous power to silence speech you don’t like.
Ask HN: Has anyone else noticed posts critical of Musk being flagged?
(ycombinator.com)
Over the last several days I've seen several examples of completely comment-worthy, rational posts that have pointed out criticism of Elon Musk's conduct from other sources or criticized it themselves getting flagged very quickly.
Over the last several days I've seen several examples of completely comment-worthy, rational posts that have pointed out criticism of Elon Musk's conduct from other sources or criticized it themselves getting flagged very quickly.
Platforms systematically removed a user because he made "most wanted CEO" cards
(eff.org)
On December 14, James Harr, the owner of an online store called ComradeWorkwear, announced on social media that he planned to sell a deck of “Most Wanted CEO” playing cards, satirizing the infamous “Most-wanted Iraqi playing cards” introduced by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency in 2003.
On December 14, James Harr, the owner of an online store called ComradeWorkwear, announced on social media that he planned to sell a deck of “Most Wanted CEO” playing cards, satirizing the infamous “Most-wanted Iraqi playing cards” introduced by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency in 2003.
Free Our Feeds
(freeourfeeds.com)
With Zuckerberg going full Musk last week, we can no longer let billionaires control our digital public square.
With Zuckerberg going full Musk last week, we can no longer let billionaires control our digital public square.
Leaked Meta Rules: Users Are Free to Post "Mexican Immigrants Are Trash"
(theintercept.com)
Meta is now granting its users new freedom to post a wide array of derogatory remarks about races, nationalities, ethnic groups, sexual orientations, and gender identities, training materials obtained by The Intercept reveal.
Meta is now granting its users new freedom to post a wide array of derogatory remarks about races, nationalities, ethnic groups, sexual orientations, and gender identities, training materials obtained by The Intercept reveal.
Meta Now Lets Users Say Gay and Trans People Have 'Mental Illness'
(wired.com)
Meta announced a series of major updates to its content moderation policies today, including ending its fact-checking partnerships and “getting rid” of restrictions on speech about “topics like immigration, gender identity and gender” that the company describes as frequent subjects of political discourse and debate.
Meta announced a series of major updates to its content moderation policies today, including ending its fact-checking partnerships and “getting rid” of restrictions on speech about “topics like immigration, gender identity and gender” that the company describes as frequent subjects of political discourse and debate.
Mark Zuckerberg: Fact-checking on Meta is too "politically biased"
(hollywoodreporter.com)
Meta Platforms Inc. is making major changes to its content moderation policies, eliminating its fact-checking program and bringing more political conversations back to feeds on Facebook and Instagram, as part of a bid by CEO Mark Zuckerberg to “restore free expression” on its platforms.
Meta Platforms Inc. is making major changes to its content moderation policies, eliminating its fact-checking program and bringing more political conversations back to feeds on Facebook and Instagram, as part of a bid by CEO Mark Zuckerberg to “restore free expression” on its platforms.
Pressure mounts on EU to use legal weapons against Musk's interference
(politico.eu)
Elon Musk’s decision to host German far-right leader Alice Weidel in a livestream on X is sparking fury from European Union leaders and lawmakers, who on Monday urged Brussels to deploy its full legal might to rein in the billionaire tech magnate.
Elon Musk’s decision to host German far-right leader Alice Weidel in a livestream on X is sparking fury from European Union leaders and lawmakers, who on Monday urged Brussels to deploy its full legal might to rein in the billionaire tech magnate.
I'm quitting the Washington Post
(anntelnaes.substack.com)
I’ve worked for the Washington Post since 2008 as an editorial cartoonist. I have had editorial feedback and productive conversations—and some differences—about cartoons I have submitted for publication, but in all that time I’ve never had a cartoon killed because of who or what I chose to aim my pen at. Until now.
I’ve worked for the Washington Post since 2008 as an editorial cartoonist. I have had editorial feedback and productive conversations—and some differences—about cartoons I have submitted for publication, but in all that time I’ve never had a cartoon killed because of who or what I chose to aim my pen at. Until now.
Elon Musk and the right's war on Wikipedia
(citationneeded.news)
The world's richest man has joined a growing chorus of right-wing voices attacking Wikipedia as part of an intensifying campaign against free and open access information.
The world's richest man has joined a growing chorus of right-wing voices attacking Wikipedia as part of an intensifying campaign against free and open access information.
The huge stakes for free speech in a new Supreme Court case about porn
(vox.com)
Texas asks the justices to abandon longstanding First Amendment protections for sexual speech.
Texas asks the justices to abandon longstanding First Amendment protections for sexual speech.
'Free Speech Absolutist' Elon Musk Suspends Critics, Asks People to Be Nicer
(techdirt.com)
The inevitable has happened and Elon has started banning and suppressing the speech of folks who were “on his team,” leading to many suddenly realizing that maybe he wasn’t such a free speech supporter after all.
The inevitable has happened and Elon has started banning and suppressing the speech of folks who were “on his team,” leading to many suddenly realizing that maybe he wasn’t such a free speech supporter after all.
Elon Musk Takes Aim at Wikipedia
(newsweek.com)
Elon Musk has urged his followers not to donate to Wikipedia, which he branded "Wokepedia," until "they restore balance to their editing authority."
Elon Musk has urged his followers not to donate to Wikipedia, which he branded "Wokepedia," until "they restore balance to their editing authority."