Justice Clarence Thomas Says Social Media Companies Do Not Have the Right to Ban Protected Speech

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said the Supreme Court will soon have “no choice but to deal” with how speech is controlled by a few private social media platforms.

We could be headed down a slippery slope with this one. On the one hand, I think twitter and facebook need to have a knot jerked in their tail. On the other hand, I question just how involved our federal government should be.

Thomas also suggested that social media companies could be subject to regulation as public hosting, although they are already covered by federal and state anti-discrimination laws. Justice didn’t elaborate much on this argument, but he hinted that the platforms’ First Amendment rights might be limited to the extent that business owners can be forced to accept clients regardless of their location. race or religion.

Thomas said that major protection for Internet businesses, known as Section 230, highlights the role of social media companies as common carriers. He also argued that some courts abuse this provision to immunize “bad faith” decisions to remove content posted by third parties.

According to the article, what this boils down to is a declaration by congress that the social media giants are public carriers, which would require them to host ALL customers regardless of their view if they are to continue being protected under section 230. Any ruling made by the SCOTUS, and any legislation passed by house and senate, is going to affect all social media, including ATS.

What differentiates a private company from a public utility or carrier?
Should social media be put in the same category as telecommunications companies?
Should twitter and facebook have to bake you a wedding cake even if they don't agree with your lifestyle choices?

Link

a reply to: Klassified

He's correct.
These companies must either be a public hosting platform or a news media site and follow the rules of the one they choose.

Today they are claiming protection from both.

a reply to: Klassified

Cave venditor

Instead of Caveat emptor.

Let the seller "beware".

Will this be good or bad for the mega platform being constructed by the Trump family?

Poor Justice Thomas, wonder what a canceled scotus judge will look like.

originally posted by: JinMI
Poor Justice Thomas, wonder what a canceled scotus judge will look like.

Well, at least we know one has balls.

My thoughts on all this, and net neutrality: there is no world in which it is right that companies can utilize the fruits of public investment to deny the public basic constitutionally protected rights.

We paid for the internet. We probably paid for a lot of the development of Facebook. Those assholes got rich using our infrastructure. Just keep that in mind.

a reply to: Klassified

Slippery slope indeed...

Give the control of social media to the democrats and the Biden Admin. What could possibly go wrong?

Leave privately held corporations alone and let the marketplace decide their fate. It's called Capitalism. Do you really want a social socialist media?

I don't think Justice Thomas has thought this thru very well; he probably thinks trump is still president or thinks trump will soon return ala Qanon predictions.

They’re damned no matter what.

Hate speech - not allowed.
Free speech - everything allowed.

No matter what, they’re still screwed.

I do believe in free speech, I just wouldn’t want to be trying to figure out legalities - globally....

With the ridiculous culture these days, do we even know what we’re saying? We might say one thing, and someone else thinks you meant something totally off.

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
My thoughts on all this, and net neutrality: there is no world in which it is right that companies can utilize the fruits of public investment to deny the public basic constitutionally protected rights.

We paid for the internet. We probably paid for a lot of the development of Facebook. Those assholes got rich using our infrastructure. Just keep that in mind.

When I helped build a Google plant, if you were caught with copper in your pocket, it was a federal penalty, cause the money came from the government. Trust me, after what I saw there, ATS is the only platform I use. The ABC agencies have offices in each plant.

Looks like Justice Thomas is going to suddenly start suffering from deep depression leading to eventual suicide like all people who dare to impede the plans of the international ruling cartel.

originally posted by: DBCowboy

originally posted by: JinMI
Poor Justice Thomas, wonder what a canceled scotus judge will look like.

Well, at least we know one has balls.

Indeed. One...out of nine, so far.

originally posted by: olaru12
a reply to: Klassified

Slippery slope indeed...

Give the control of social media to the democrats and the Biden Admin. What could possibly go wrong?

Leave privately held corporations alone and let the marketplace decide their fate. It's called Capitalism. Do you really want a social socialist media?

I don't think Justice Thomas has thought this thru very well; he probably thinks trump is still president or thinks trump will soon return ala Qanon predictions.

Like what happened to Parler?

originally posted by: olaru12
a reply to: Klassified

Slippery slope indeed...

Give the control of social media to the democrats and the Biden Admin. What could possibly go wrong?

Leave privately held corporations alone and let the marketplace decide their fate. It's called Capitalism. Do you really want a social socialist media?

I don't think Justice Thomas has thought this thru very well; he probably thinks trump is still president or thinks trump will soon return ala Qanon predictions.

a reply to: Ohanka

That is an epic meme that says it all.

a reply to: Ohanka

Fine, turn social media over to the FCC during a democratic controlled WH, house and senate. They will probably even allow more free speech.

originally posted by: olaru12
a reply to: Ohanka

Fine, turn social media over to the FCC during a democratic controlled WH, house and senate. Cool!

lol

It'll show how debased and craven the evil left actually is.

Why not expose their hand?

originally posted by: carewemust
Will this be good or bad for the mega platform being constructed by the Trump family?

How did no one reply to this.

I would bet that's directly related somehow.

a reply to: olaru12

Leave privately held corporations alone and let the marketplace decide their fate. It's called Capitalism. Do you really want a social socialist media?

We already have a socialist social media.

That's the problem.

Although I do love the irony of someone who is ALL about Big Government and more regulation crying foul when leftist companies might face more regulation...

originally posted by: Lumenari
a reply to: olaru12

Leave privately held corporations alone and let the marketplace decide their fate. It's called Capitalism. Do you really want a social socialist media?

We already have a social socialist media.

That's the problem.

If that's the case...who do you propose to regulate it?