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In a rare victory for the forces defending free speech, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas has ruled that Facebook cannot restrict what users post to the platform. In rejecting Facebook’s argument the court described the idea of social media platforms asserting the right to censor on free speech grounds as an “odd inversion” of the First Amendment.
The latest battle in the social media censorship wars is taking place over – what else? – money. Specifically, online payment sites like PayPal and Venmo are refusing to process payments for sites that have ostensibly violated terms of service – sites like Gays Against Groomers and Free Speech Union. These cases raise important issues about whether these outlets should be allowed to pick and choose who can and can’t have access to financial transactions.
Jimmy and The Dive’s Jackson Hinkle discuss whether this case operates on the same principles as the bakery that refused to sell a cake for a gay wedding.