https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/06/technology/infowars-alex-jones-apple-facebook-spotify.html

Top technology companies erased most of the posts and videos on their services from Alex Jones, the internet’s notorious conspiracy theorist, thrusting themselves into a fraught debate over their role in regulating what can be said online.

Apple, Google, Facebook and Spotify severely restricted the reach of Mr. Jones and Infowars, his right-wing site that has been a leading peddler of false information online. Mr. Jones and Infowars have used social media for years to spread dark and bizarre theories, such as that the Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax and that Democrats run a global child-sex ring. Apple made its move on Sunday and the others followed on Monday.

Apple on Sunday removed five of the six Infowars podcasts on its popular Podcasts app. Commenting on the move, a spokeswoman said, “Apple does not tolerate hate speech.”
Facebook, Spotify and Google’s YouTube site, which removed some Infowars content last week, followed with stronger measures on Monday. Facebook removed four pages belonging to Mr. Jones, including one with nearly 1.7 million followers as of last month, for violating its policies by “glorifying violence” and “using dehumanizing language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants.” Facebook said the violations did not relate to “false news.”

YouTube terminated Mr. Jones’s channel, which had more than 2.4 million subscribers and billions of views on its videos, for repeatedly violating its policies, including its prohibition on hate speech. Spotify cited its own prohibition on hate speech as the reason for removing a podcast by Mr. Jones.

“To many, Jones is a bad joke,” said the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups. “But the sad reality is that he has millions of followers who listen to his radio show, watch his ‘documentaries’ and read his websites, and some of them, like Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev, resort to deadly violence.”

Mr. Jones and Infowars did not respond to requests for comment.


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it is about time that some of these tech companies that alex jones has been using as a platform to spread his hate speech,and fear mongering took a stand and did the right thing,and took their platforms away from him!!



[ NOW,if we could only get 'twitter' to shut down donald trump's account??!!??!! ]

I think internet has become such a staple, that many believe it to be an inalienable right. Website owners still have discretion over what they will or wont allow on their site, from smaller sites like this one to giants like Apple.

I think it sucks sometimes, but then I think about how we are still free to have OUR OWN websites and include whatever WE WISH to include, just like stormfront or the kkk sites, etc, etc ....

Except U S taxpayer dollars were used to not only boost these companies not to mention the tax incentives. The monopolies these companies have been allowed to grow into that
As you well know would spend maximum force against a competing platform setup for opposing views.
Do you want to stifle anyones thoughts or opinions that are unlike yours?

Congress either must maintain these companies in a manner that everyine is included.
This thought process exists with dems when its about immigration.

Remember Obama putting forth the idea that Fox start reporting leftwing news?

only as much as 'taxpayer dollars' boost any company supporting sites on the internet. its still up to the owners discretion the type of content they are trying to provide.

There really is not much monopoly on posting or stating a website.

I dont want to stifle an owners discretion of what to include in their content. people have plenty of freedom with their opinions already.

The everybody is included doesnt work in business. every business has a consumer base or audience they are permitted to use discretion to target.


Shirt stores, dont have to sell pants, just because there are people who want pants. Cancer centers dont have to treat STDs because some people have STDs. The internet is a medium no different than retail, people are allowed to target a type or style that does not have to include EVERYthing or everyone at all times.