There are people here who believe Facebook is an essential utility, one that must be regulated.
Regulated by whom?
And just what is so essential?
Maybe...for hackers, burglers, child molesters, murderers, rapists, the "deep state" etc
No, “regulation” is different than just not allowing them to regulate. The case is very simple: they enjoy an exemption from liability for content published on their platforms that publishers such as newspapers do not. The reason: promotion of free speech. Either they give up that exemption, and get sued every time someone posts libelous content on their platform, or get out of the business of regulating content on any other basis other than that it’s illegal under the First Amendment or not. In other words, they have no basis for removing content that is otherwise protected under the First Amendment.
No need to regulate.
Just remove their immunity granted under the DMCA.
If you censor your platform you lose all DMCA protection and shortly get sued into oblivion.
Just the threat would end censorship within an hour.
Talk about a stock collapse...whew
The nuclear option.
I expect some in Congress will sooner than later bring forth legislation which declares the major social media platforms to be “Critical National Infrastructure”, and on that basis regulations will be promulgated.
If they do this, it’s important they get it right. Be vigilant.
My family members are on FB, and since we are so spread out through so many states, FB is the best way to keep in contact with them.
But FB is becoming tedious with its ads in the middle of conservative videos and actually blocking people for "hate speech." So my time on FB is very limited and will soon be non-existent. If I knew how to build my own website and invite family members, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
'Face