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Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

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Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#451

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> You are creating a test for platform vs. publisher that is not in the law. There's a clear distinction between "publisher" (information content provider) and "platform" (interactive computer service) in the law. But the law provides no test for which category a particular entity falls into, so we have to provide this. No one is claiming that the proposed test is the current test, just that it's a good test, consist…

Section 230 provides a very clear definition of what an “Interactive Computer Service” is, and makes it very clear that someone who provides one cannot be considered to be the publisher, full stop. > The term “interactive computer service” means any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service…

> Section 230 provides a very clear definition of what an “Interactive Computer Service” is, and makes it very clear that someone who provides one cannot be considered to be the publisher, full stop.

Note the word "another" in "another information content provider". The law plainly doesn't protect them for content they are responsible (even only in part) for creating, and by paying for some content and not other content, they're taking an active hand in choosing what content is created. In other words, they are, in part, responsible for the creation of that content.

> where is that line?

That's a question to be answered by democracy, not in a corporate board room.

And private control of the means of communication has never been unrestricted. Surely you're familiar with the regulations that once governed the television networks.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#453

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Section 230 provides a very clear definition of what an “Interactive Computer Service” is, and makes it very clear that someone who provides one cannot be considered to be the publisher, full stop. > The term “interactive computer service” means any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service…

> Section 230 provides a very clear definition of what an “Interactive Computer Service” is, and makes it very clear that someone who provides one cannot be considered to be the publisher, full stop. Note the word "another" in "another information content provider". The law plainly doesn't protect them for content they are responsible (even only in part) for creating, and by paying for some content and not other cont…

> If Google is paying for some content ... then they’re acting like a publisher.

There is case law to the contrary. AOL was granted 230 immunity when the issue at hand was about what a contractor of theirs said.

> That’s a question to be answered by democracy, not in a corporate board room

Or we could encourage a proliferation of choices on the internet, rather than handing whichever party is in power the right to suppress the speech of the other.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#455

I just downloaded google podcast app. Did a search for corona, there are a bunch of results. Google is not a government entity, neither are all the podcasts I could find using it. I hope they will ban their own podcast app pretty soon.

Make sure you flag Google Podcasts as inappropriate, giving the references to coronavirus as the reason.

And leave a 1-star review stating the reason.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#456

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Section 230 provides a very clear definition of what an “Interactive Computer Service” is, and makes it very clear that someone who provides one cannot be considered to be the publisher, full stop. Note the word "another" in "another information content provider". The law plainly doesn't protect them for content they are responsible (even only in part) for creating, and by paying for some content and not other cont…

> If Google is paying for some content ... then they’re acting like a publisher. There is case law to the contrary. AOL was granted 230 immunity when the issue at hand was about what a contractor of theirs said. > That’s a question to be answered by democracy, not in a corporate board room Or we could encourage a proliferation of choices on the internet, rather than handing whichever party is in power the right to su…

> Or we could encourage a proliferation of choices on the internet, rather than handing whichever party is in power the right to suppress the speech of the other.

I'm talking about preventing Google from exercising that power, not giving that power to the government. No one is proposing to repeal the first amendment.

I'm very much in favor of a proliferation of choices on the internet, but we don't really have that at the moment, and we need regulations that cover the situation we actually find ourselves in, not the ideal situation.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#457
post #199

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a difference between genuine alternative views and just cultish conspiracy content created for clicks that defies any law of physics - is it reasonable to recommend a video from someone who argues the lockdown is not warranted? Why not. Is it reasonable to recommend someone who denies the existence of the virus and want's to sell you his quack treatments? I don't think so.

> is it reasonable to recommend a video from someone who argues the lockdown is not warranted So you're saying we should censor the President of the United States from Twitter?

No, they are saying that having a discussion about how to deal with the pandemic is a little more above board than someone arguing that it's a 5G conspiracy.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#458

This is the result of out-sourcing juristic work to private companies: If we treat Android, Window, Twitter, Facebook, as public spaces/goods, then private companies should not have a say in what is allowed/not-allowed on their platforms. This is work for the courts and police to decide and enforce. If we treat those platforms as private. Then we are playing in s/o's backyard. You are totally at their mercy. They hav…

> democratic footing (users are in charge)

"Users" is a tricky word here.

When you have democracy, and you say "users are in charge", what you really mean is "whatever group of users can get a majority is in charge".

What it perhaps sounds like you're saying, which isn't true under democracy but is desirable, is "individual users are in charge", i.e. you are in charge of your own data and content.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#459

This is the result of out-sourcing juristic work to private companies: If we treat Android, Window, Twitter, Facebook, as public spaces/goods, then private companies should not have a say in what is allowed/not-allowed on their platforms. This is work for the courts and police to decide and enforce. If we treat those platforms as private. Then we are playing in s/o's backyard. You are totally at their mercy. They hav…

You really trust the US court system to be impartial? Should Apple/Google be forced to carry pornographic apps? White supremacists apps? Apps that invade people’s privacy? Which government should hold this responsibility? Should we have an international committee deciding this?

Yes, yes, provided they're labeled properly, all of them, and no, respectively.

Edit: I guess the first two could use some labels as well, provided the labels aren't legible to parental controls or other nannyware.

Re: Google bans Podcast Addict app over non-approved Covid-19 content

#460

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is it unconstitutional? Google/Youtube is not a neutral carrier and can pick what gets broadcasted - just like Fox or CNN. For the record: as a paying Podcast Addict user, I think this is a shitty action by Google. I just don't see how it is unconstitutional. NB. I hope something good comes out of this, like more people discovering and using third party app stores, or being able to run apps on android auto even i…

The pressure from the government is unconstitutional.

The govt asking Google to help keep the spread of misinformation down is totally different than the govt forcing Google to do so and arresting anyone that posts anything contrary to the official position.
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