Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler • Hacker News Board

Re: Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler

#681

Post by ripdog » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 5:39 AM UTC

tpirx wrote: post #668

A protests of 1000s(tens?) of people had some unknown (be honest) number of violent actors that resulted in the death of two people. We have no means of verifying that those who committed violence did so at the behest of bad actors on any given App. We can speculate or let the media speculate for us. Speculation nonetheless. One would think that a community so dependent on data would require it. Would you have felt m…

The internet is very big. Just because parler won't be hosts on AWS doesn't mean they won't find a host. They'll find a hosting company run by people as awful as them, just like the daily stormer did.

Re: Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler

#682

Post by heimidal » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 5:42 AM UTC

iamleppert wrote: post #655

I am in favor of these matters being handled and adjudicated via the courts, not by private entities with no due process, arbitrary process and limited oversight. For all we know there was a limited group of users of that service that caused this action, however we don’t know and likely will never know the facts in this matter.

The only way to bring a lawsuit is for an action to occur that triggers the suit. Otherwise, there is no breach of contract to sue over. If Parler believes they have a case against Amazon, they are able to file a lawsuit.

That said, Parler almost certainly has no case since private companies may do business with whomever they please and any terms in place almost certainly contain an at-will termination clause. Parler will need to find a new host and AWS will forfeit any future revenue from Parler. That’s an even exchange.

Re: Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler

#683

Post by GaryNumanVevo » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 5:43 AM UTC

gfodor wrote: post #333

I guess my issue with this is while I can understand the reasoning, isn’t the logical conclusion to this that the entire chain of technology involved in communication tools today theoretically can provide each company involved a veto based on what those bits are causing on humans? If your CPU detects hate speech, should it be able to shut down and refund your money? If your operating system does? I understand there i…

This isn't a technology problem / solution. It's a people problem. Parler refuses to moderate hate speech / violence, instead choosing to selectively moderate, similar to a white supremacists message board / etc. Amazon, et. al. don't host those kinds of sites, and Parler is no different.

Re: Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler

#684

Post by bigtiger » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 5:44 AM UTC

oliv__ wrote: post #628

I'm having a real hard time understanding how all the comments in the thread are in favor of this. I mean, even if you disagree with the idea of Parler, how can one willingly support this kind of censorship? "First they came for the XYZ and I didn't care because I wasn't XYZ, then they came for the ..., and then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me"

I support "this kind of censorship" because I'm not an extremist and don't like extremism, especially the violent kind. I hope even the ISPs get involved if that's what it takes to prevent an insurrection from any expression of extremism.

I may reconsider this position if they ever "come for me"; but frankly, for now, I value stability and longevity for our nation more than its abstract ideals about freedom of speech.

Re: Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler

#685

Post by phendrenad2 » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 5:46 AM UTC

Just going to get my prediction in now: This is going to result in top-to-bottom divergence of tech along political lines. Someone will make a right-wing AWS, and then someone will make a right-wing smartphone.

Re: Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler

#686

Post by nightski » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 5:47 AM UTC

ve55 wrote: post #4

It must feel pretty surreal to be someone that is constantly moving to different communication apps and instantly finding them pulled by anyone and everyone. We've seen an escalation of this from higher-level platforms (obviously Twitter can ban an account if they desire) to medium-level platforms (I suppose Apple gets to pick what I can do on my own phone even if it feels a bit wrong), but I'm curious if this will a…

While so many comments are applauding this move to me this entire deal has been a massive wake up call. I always knew in the back of my head, but now it is right in front of me just how much power these tech platforms have. It's not about Parler (have never used it). Or any of the specific people banned. Just the fact that we have had a president addicted to social media shows how bad things have become.

For me, it's time to unsubscribe. It's not like they have brought me great benefit anyways, if anything the opposite. I wonder if any others will come to the same conclusion.

Re: Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler

#687

Post by rajacombinator » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 5:47 AM UTC

ve55 wrote: post #4

It must feel pretty surreal to be someone that is constantly moving to different communication apps and instantly finding them pulled by anyone and everyone. We've seen an escalation of this from higher-level platforms (obviously Twitter can ban an account if they desire) to medium-level platforms (I suppose Apple gets to pick what I can do on my own phone even if it feels a bit wrong), but I'm curious if this will a…

Yep. BTC boys will be in for a rude awakening when the all-seeing eye turns their way.

Re: Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler

#688

Post by tomerbd » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 5:47 AM UTC

Net NoTrality

Re: Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler

#689

Post by conception » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 5:47 AM UTC

oliv__ wrote: post #628

I'm having a real hard time understanding how all the comments in the thread are in favor of this. I mean, even if you disagree with the idea of Parler, how can one willingly support this kind of censorship? "First they came for the XYZ and I didn't care because I wasn't XYZ, then they came for the ..., and then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me"

No one was up in arms when Twitter removed 125k Isis accounts. Deplatforming terrorists, and if you think there aren’t there then you willfully ignorant of what’s going on on that platform, is a legitimate action for any private citizen or company to undertake. This isn’t state censorship in any way.

Ignoring your TOS and not moderating terrorists is complicit action by the owners to get ahead of “but they aren’t all terrorists!”

Re: Amazon, Apple and Google Cut Off Parler

#690

Post by oliv__ » Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 5:48 AM UTC

jp57 wrote: post #675

I'm distressed and saddened at how many of the free speech proponents on HN are treating the events of January 6 as if it was just another protest and not an existential threat to the republic. The president's followers said for weeks that "the storm" was coming Jan 6. Nobody took them seriously. Look what happened. The president and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and other followers incited it. Yes the execution of the…

OK, but given that all of the above is true, do you think that deplatforming Parler helps or hurts the overall situation?

What do you think the "deplatformed" people are going to do? Just quit because "oh no our website is gone"?

This event is just fueling the fire IMO.