Dear Friends,
It seems to me, section 230 exemptions for internet companies, is to protect them from liability for things their users post. What I find strange, ironic and illogical, is that the very same monopolies that have immunity from lawsuits, apparently now for anything, are holding their competitors liable for things their users post. The very definition of hypocrisy. In their defense from a lawsuit launched by Parler.com, because Apple’s taking them down for posts by their users, Apple has cited 230 immunity! So, Apple claims it cannot be sued for tortious interference with future business, contract violations and monopolistic practices, for the same law it is denying Parler. In doing so, the government threatens to strip all companies of 230 exemption, insuring no company can ever compete with them again.
Originally, the section 230 carve out, was to protect mom and pop bulletin boards from frivolous lawsuits. Those old enough to remember 2400 baud modems remember the old forums. They were often local in nature and hosted every sort of content. They were owned by nerds, who made almost nothing from their efforts, but cleared, leveled and plowed the land for big tech. Those antiquated sites gave way to social media. Which, with a little help from the government, (and the Pareto curve) grew into monopolies. Those monopolies have leveraged the 230 carve outs to crush competition. The exact opposite of why the 230 protections were created in the first place. That is why there are almost no mom and pop forums anymore. They cannot compete with monopolies.
So, instead of fostering growth, freedom and access to information, those laws have been turned to stifling growth, oppression and limiting access to information. The monopolies speak with a single voice, the voice of an overlord. They openly demand others follow their political dictums to the letter… else get crushed. If a competitor rises to meet them, that competition is liquidated by their monopolistic practices. Now it has become clear, that section 230 has become the tool of internet tyrants, to oppress. Very progressive. Today the internet bares no resemblance whatsoever to the internet imagined by the creators of it. They envisioned a place free from censorship, where anyone could say their peace, and if it had merit, that video, letter or audio would go “viral.” That feels like a long time ago now.
None of this would have been possible but for the diligent efforts of the court system, to foster monopoly, crush dissent and protect their political allies. No place is this more obvious and undeniable than in the recent Parler.com lawsuit against Amazon Web Services, (AWS). The 9th circuit court has found against Parler’s plea to force Amazon to follow their contract. That a court has turned a blind eye to such obvious breach of contract shows the political nature of our injustice system. Of course, this is not the first time our courts have been the willing tool of the progressive establishment. The court system is entirely captured by post modernist ideology. Proving the fact our judicial system is not there to fairly adjudicate grievances, but to protect the power of the elite, from the people.
The legislature will probably not act. If they do, their bills will certainly defend big tech, and will strip the little guy of any protection. We are the elite’s enemy today. A rational approach to controlling big tech, would be to strip any company with more than 100 million of market share, firms that censor their posters and businesses that engage in monopolistic practices… of 230 protections. Which would protect the original intent of the 230 carve outs, to defend freedom of speech, thought and opinion. That we have thought police is not an innovation, it is a crime against humanity, a crime that will lead to more and worse crimes, as they all do. You can help, delete your accounts on Facebook, Twitter and any other monopoly. (I have). Write your representative and senator. You have power… if only you use it.
Sincerely,
John Pepin
