“In a move to defend his company’s decision to not ban Alex Jones, Twitter Chief Executive Jack Dorsey explained that Jones did not violate any rules,” Ryan Browne reports for CNBC. “‘We didn’t suspend Alex Jones or Infowars yesterday,’ Dorsey said in a Twitter post Tuesday. ‘We know that’s hard for many but the reason is simple: he hasn’t violated our rules. We’ll enforce if he does. And we’ll continue to promote a healthy conversational environment by ensuring tweets aren’t artificially amplified.'”
“Dorsey’s comments echoed an official statement from the company released earlier this week, after the controversial conspiracy theorist and radio host took to Twitter’s livestreaming service Periscope to rail against censorship,” Browne reports. “Apple was joined by Facebook, YouTube, Spotify and Pinterest in taking down accounts, pages and content controlled by Jones as the day progressed.”
“Twitter has been accused by conservatives — including Jones himself and President Donald Trump — of ‘shadow banning’ Republicans. Shadow banning refers to a practice in which search results are allegedly restricted for certain social media accounts,” Browne reports. “The company has denied this is the case, but said it was aware some accounts do not automatically populate its search function and that it was looking to resolve the issue.
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take:
Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman. — Louis D. Brandeis
We didn’t suspend Alex Jones or Infowars yesterday. We know that’s hard for many but the reason is simple: he hasn’t violated our rules. We’ll enforce if he does. And we’ll continue to promote a healthy conversational environment by ensuring tweets aren’t artificially amplified.
— jack (@jack) August 8, 2018
See also, “here.
The Twitter Rules: A Living Document,” by Del Harvey, VP, Trust and Safety, Twitter, Tuesday, 7 August 2018.
SEE ALSO:
Infowars’ Alex Jones blasts Apple, Google, others; warns on internet censorship – August 7, 2018
Apple’s ‘Infowars’ move thrusts tech giant into the debate over censoring content on internet platforms – August 6, 2018
Apple removes most of Alex Jones’ Infowars podcasts from iTunes Store – August 6, 2018
Apple signs on to full page ‘open letter’ ad urging President Trump to keep U.S. in Paris Agreement on climate change – June 1, 2017
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Well, good to see one social media firm has the common sense to avoid censorship, disallow partisan politics, and allow ALL VOICES to be heard ..,
Unfortunately, he won’t fully renounce his claims regarding Sandy Hook and there have been real life and ongoing consequences for the families whose children were murdered. Yelling fire in a crowded theater is not protected speech because doing so can have dangerous or mortal consequences. Fueling kooks as Jones’ has has created dangerous and mournful consequences for many people:
https://people.com/crime/sandy-hook-alex-jones-lawsuit-hearing/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/06/08/sandy-hook-hoaxer-gets-prison-time-for-threatening-6-year-old-victims-father/?utm_term=.86762f4c52c6
If he were to make clear at every turn that his pronouncements are for entertainment reasons and largely fact void, it would throw a different, less dangerous light on his business model.
The specific thing that got Jones banned was what appeared to be a threat to shoot Robert Mueller. While he may have intended it as hyperbole, his followers have a history of taking him literally. Even under the most generous interpretation of the First Amendment, incitement to violence is not protected speech. It certainly is a violation of Apple’s terms of service, even if not Twitter’s.
“what appeared to be a threat to shoot Robert Mueller.”
Appeared? So now the censorship practices of the world’s largest company is based on perception. Now we entered phase two of the slippery slope in this debate.
“While he may have intended it as hyperbole, his followers have a history of taking him literally.”
There is no may, everyone except the detractors can spot it for what it is immediately. How clueless can the left be?
“Even under the most generous interpretation of the First Amendment”
Please spare us the pious lecture.
“incitement to violence is not protected speech.”
I don’t read ANYWHERE where anyone is saying otherwise.
“It certainly is a violation of Apple’s terms of service”
Bout time the Apple apologist followed through. We can all agree Apple has a policy. We can also agree their policy is vague and has targeted conservatives, unless they have censored liberals in the past, I don’t know. Certainly looking at the vile HATE Apple peddles for profit in iTunes the answer is no way, Jose. Two important words that sum up the debate: Hypocrisy and Double Standard.
Twitter is a HERO for free speech!
Apple under the SJW CEO has turned into a legal censorship political tool working for the left to silence dissent. Tables flipped modern day book burning …
GoeB, the bloviating whiner. I wonder how your life would stand up to the scrutiny that you love to apply to other (non-Republican) people. I suspect that you would fail miserably in the hypocrisy department.
Try me.
And BTW, I was not posting to you ..,
Liberalism is a mental disease and should be treated as such to keep children and adults safe. Don’t sell guns to liberals and you won’t have mass shootings. Fact.
He does not have to renounce his whack job attention getting fact free entertainment posts — that’s what he does for a living. Have no use for him whatsoever, never subscribed, listened to or very limited reading of his mindless tripe. But I will defend his right to say it and not be censored and defend my right to shun him.
I don’t see you calling for the same renouncements from the leftist extremists like Black Lives Matter, Antifa, Maxine Waters, rap artists and other peddlers of hate from Hollywood and music. Examples: Bush knocked down the towers, kill cops lyrics and misogynist pornography. Prime example is the cowardly shooter of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana from the trees on a baseball field. Wow, is playing baseball threatening our constitutional republic and national security?
Buzzy, did you ask for an apology from any of those incidents inciting hate? Also, did anyone die from what Alex Jones said, or is it just hurt feelings? Look behind the curtain who is behind these lawsuits.
Regarding the hoaxers, they have a right to free speech and whack job conspiracy theories, as anyone else, left or right. As long as no one is hurt or threatened with their life.
“If he were to make clear at every turn that his pronouncements are for entertainment reasons and largely fact void, it would throw a different, less dangerous light on his business model.”
Yes, that might help some clueless individuals, or not if they take it as religion nothing will stop them except the good men and women in blue. We can’t take responsibility for everyone and their actions. It’s a free country and is up to the individual.
Bottom line: PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. It is important for every citizen to obey the law REGARDLESS of what they hear or read …
“leftist extremists like Black Lives Matter, Antifa, Maxine Waters, rap artists and other peddlers of hate from Hollywood and music. Examples: Bush knocked down the towers, kill cops lyrics and misogynist pornography. ”
I’m no fan of these people or their own business models and condemn their hate filled speech but I’m not aware that they have continued to egg on psychologically challenged people to pursue families whose children have been murdered. If they have, they certainly join Jones imo.
As to the 9/11 conspiracy theories, you’ve misfired on that as Jones himself has blamed the NWO and Bush:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Jones
As I said, yelling fire in a theater is dangerous and Jones has found a trove of impaired minds who seem to do his bidding.
I’m not sure what you are getting at to say who is behind the lawsuits. Do you really think these parents of dead first graders need to be legally manipulated after years of constant hounding by a diet supplement hawker. I think not.
Glad to read you are no fan of all the hate groups I mentioned.
“egg on psychologically challenged people to pursue families whose children have been murdered.”
Certainly not the way to behave and I condemn it. That said, I’ll take that any day over the never ending stream of hate from the leftist extremists and rap artists calling for killing of cops and anyone they hate. Madonna: “I thought a lot, about blowing up the White House.”
Hurt feelings is simply not in the same league. That’s self righteous indignant PC modus operandi driving this.
“As to the 9/11 conspiracy theories, you’ve misfired on that as Jones himself has blamed the NWO and Bush”
No misfire, I don’t follow Jones like you do and ignorant of that story. It is wrong no matter who spouts off. But again, it is free speech unless you are a private corporation like Apple, Fakebook, Spotify, et al and have a legal license to DISCRIMINATE.
What does yelling fire in a crowded theater have to do with this discussion?
All extremists since the beginning of time garner a “trove of impaired minds” who do their OWN BIDDING. That is your mistake, they made a conscious decision to break the law. No one put a gun to their heads forcing them to do anything. They are responsible for their own actions, and should be punished accordingly.
Find the people behind the curtain on your own.
Thanks for a respectful debate even though we see a few things differently …
Censorship does not apply to private companies moron.
Free speech does not apply to private companies, but that does not prevent a company from embracing free speech, say to deal with the crybabies who go around whining STFU, STFU and go away in their futile attempts of trying to bully others away from their free speech.
What are you saying? We all censor what we consume and promote.
Nice way to elevate the debate, darwinia…
He’s right though. It’s protected speech to not be required to carry materials that the people who run an organization feel is against their mission as an organization. Would you expect a church to carry materials stating that their god is false? I would expect not.
Two things moron:
1. When did I ever say censorship laws applies to private companies, hmmm? Answer: NEVER. Everyone knows that, including yours truly.
2. So are you saying you agree with Apple’s censorship because they are not legally liable. Yes or no will suffice.
The more I read about the evolving debate if they apply holier than thou vague standards to conservatives and allow the left run free, a legal challenge could happen. For now, Apple is clearly biased, practicing censorship and easily caved to political pressure from a spineless leader. Granted, it’s legal …
So, if your life, your family and friends, your livelihood, income or social status somehow got caught in his conspiracy crosshairs, you’d defend his dangerous inflammatory language, even as’you’ personally are relentlessly and unjustifiably threatened?
No. You’d squeal like a stuck pig.
Almost every one of your posts are devoid of any reality regarding the probable unintended consequences of extremism.
The only workable solution is a balance between personal responsibility and freedom of expression. Notice I don’t use the word ‘speech’…that’s how we got here.
“So, if your life, your family and friends, your livelihood, income or social status somehow got caught in his conspiracy crosshairs”
Caught in what crosshairs? Talk about being vague and IMPLYING something ominous.
“you’d defend his dangerous inflammatory language”
Yes! Same with Black matters hate, Antifa hate, Maxine Waters hate, media hate, celebrity dim bulb hate and the REST of liberal hate.
“even as’you’ personally are relentlessly and unjustifiably threatened?”
You call the police, file a complaint and testify against them until they are brought to justice. And never quit. Duh.
But I understand the cowardly response of the left on the big city streets to avert your eyes, walk faster and do nothing, say nothing to help or get involved. Hell, today they are calling for the heads of police and ICE doing their job arresting criminals. Does the left want criminals to win over law abiding citizens? Sanctuary cities? Think about it.
“No. You’d squeal like a stuck pig.”
Wrong, I conceal carry everyday and so does my family. We are prepared and don’t whine like the left. You simply deal with everything that comes your way while protecting free speech and opposing censorship.
“Almost every one of your posts are devoid of any reality regarding the probable unintended consequences of extremism.”
That’s because I believe in personal responsibility and understand “extremism” has been around since the Romans, John Brown, Stalin, Hitler, KKK and now the extremist left that is far more dangerous than Alex Jones.
“The only workable solution is a balance between personal responsibility and freedom of expression.”
Censorship is not balance when it only applies to the right and leaves the far more dangerous left to run rampant.
Hypocrisy is something you clearly do not understand …
Liberals love homos till they announce they are conservatives. Pure hypocrisy on the left. Apple epitomizes this – ‘Think different’ – as long as it’s like me.
Ahh…big words until it happens.
Why do you dissemble? “His crosshairs” dimwit.
So say ‘your’ children/grandchildren God forbid, get caught up in a school shooting, you’d still defend his actions if your kids were branded actors and he made exhortations to threaten both you and your kids with violence or worse?
But since you carry a gun at all times you are perfectly safe whenever someone knocks at your door? So you can protect them at all times, everywhere ? And deal with the perpetual stress of not knowing who you can trust amongst the dozens of folk you meet daily?
Rather you than me.
“Ahh…big words until it happens.”
Oh, it already happened.
“And deal with the perpetual stress of not knowing who you can trust amongst the dozens of folk you meet daily?”
Project much? Sounds like you are describing yourself. Must be terrible to live in fear, walking around everyday unarmed and defenseless not knowing who to trust.
Are you trying to paint me as an obsessed paranoid gun nut? Not. I walk around stress free everyday. My background training taught me to deal with situations and how to spring into action on a moments notice.
You on the other hand, following your PC dogmatic religion choose to be a victim. Hey, it’s your choice and
a free country … until Democrats take control, that is.
“Rather you than me.” First point you got right …
Avoiding censorship is usually best (some is necessary – e.g. banning child pornography). I do think, however, that each InfoWar tweet, or the account as a whole should be labeled “For entertainment purposes only,” since this is InfoWar’s and Alex Jones’ legal posture. As this is their professed purpose, they should not object to having people know it up front. (Although, I expect they would object, because they likely would lose readers/listeners/viewers. They can’t have it both ways, or, at least, shouldn’t be able to profess to be entertainment, but then present groundless conspiracies as fact). We must protect free speech and encourage respectful dialogue in a free society among those who hold different viewpoints. We must also support the concept of facts and truth in an age where the entertaining of the reality of “alternative facts” (an oxymoron) is encouraged.
Today’s digital equivalent of Book Burning(tm).
Mob rule.
This Bernie Sanders Progressive supports Dorsey for the reasons that Dorsey gave but also because Jones has not broken any laws, as far as I can tell.
I don’t follow ALex Jones, but know who he is.
Censorship is a slippery slope. Facebook and youtube did not take down Antifa or Black lives matters pages, which are full of hate, threats and promotes both.
When you silence one side you embolden the other haters and it trickles down to censoring just to people you disagree with, which has already been happening.
“Censorship is a slippery slope. Facebook and youtube did not take down Antifa or Black lives matters pages, which are full of hate, threats and promotes both.”
Exactly right and well said, dave.
It just amazes how LOW the left can go to defend the indefensible censorship assault on the right exclusively by all these big media companies.
As you pointed out, there is much more HATE from the left and threats of bodily harm and not one of those posts was pulled to my knowledge. Hell, they are darlings of the media!
How they convince themselves this is just fine and do not see the hypocrisy, I will never know.
Unbelievable and sad …
First of all, censorship is done by governments, not individuals, or organizations. It’s purely a government action. If an video store decide it isn’t going to carry pornographic content, it’s not censorship. It’s also not censorship is a company decided to not carry violent materials, or hate speech.
If the government bans books, magazines, web sites or news because of content, then that’s censorship.
By eliminating the link to Infowars podcast content, Apple is simply removing their support for the distribution of that content. It is not censorship, in my opinion, because the content is still freely available on Apple devices. Apple is not preventing anyone from listening to that crap. It is simply not participating in its distribution.
Whine all you want, but that is the truth. If you want to focus on censorship, then consider what the Trump Administration has done with removing content from Government websites, editing out an unfavorable piece of an official record of the Trump-Putin lovefest, etc. There is plenty of censorship going around, but to listen to the righties on this forum it is all targeted against the GOP and its supporters. lmfao
“By eliminating the link to Infowars podcast content, Apple is simply removing their support for the distribution of that content.”
Yes, censorship for critical right wing whack job speech.
“It is not censorship, in my opinion, because the content is still freely available on Apple devices.��
They don’t remove or censor HATE SPEECH from the Left wing extremist whack jobs. Instead, they sell it for huge profits on iTunes and politically support it — hypocrisy of the highest order.
This is the stupidest move ever by the SJW CEO. The saddest political story in Apple history has media legs everywhere and ignited a firestorm. Maybe, not on CNN for the snowflakes out there, take comfort, safe space refuge exists.
OK, you have thrown down the political gauntlet and I’ll be happy to oblige.
“If you want to focus on censorship, then consider what the Trump Administration has done with removing content from Government websites”
Not censorship, Melvin. That’s called a new administration passing new laws, rescinding burdensome regulations that lit the economy on fire and websites reflecting the changes. Grow up.
Remember Obama saying “elections have consequences.” You don’t like it NOW, but that’s the way it is. We had to deal with it for eight years, do the same and stop whining about it.
Thanks for your repeated posts denigrating our hard working president and mischaracterizing normal new administration policy changes as “censorship.”
No examples, no proof, no evidence. Just typical broad brushed BS. The Left are masters at this and do it better than anyone.
Trump-Putin love fest. I guess it’s better for diplomacy if we hate him. Funny, remember Obama caught on a hot mic in a Obama-Putin love fest telling Putin I can do more for you after the election. That’s just fine, right? No, no, collusion there! Leftist hypocrisy GRANDE.
Conservatives are far more factual. We don’t voraciously consume fake news and fake Hollywood, not led by the nose by dogma, but we do keep an eye on REALITY …