European Union may implement censorship against American companies like Google

Discussion in 'Computers & Tech' started by kazenatsu, Sep 18, 2020.

  1. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    The European Union may, in the near future, be imposing internet censorship, blocking the sites of American tech companies like Google and Facebook.
    (or at least threatening to block them)

    This all started with a new bill passed by the EU Parliament that would hold foreign tech companies (mainly American) accountable to EU laws, and subject them to fines, if they do not comply.
    In other words, a judge in Europe can issue a fine against a company in America, despite the fact that company may have no offices or employees in Europe.
    And if that company does not comply and pay the fine, the company will be completely barred from doing business in Europe.

    The thing is, it is well known that this new law is specifically targeted at American tech companies, like Google and Facebook.
    So what will it mean when they are not allowed to "do business" in the EU?

    These companies get most of their revenue from advertising. So to block their business, their website would have to be blocked.

    That entails a "Great Wall", cordoning off the EU from the internet in the rest of the world, reminiscent of Chinese-style internet control.

    And no doubt all those EU-style "hate speech" laws would inevitably end up applying too, and they'd hold the tech company responsible for it, which would implicitly force the tech companies to self-censor and block certain sites or accounts in Europe.

    These will be multi-million Euro fines. One of the stated purposes of this new law is to "make America pay".
    Due to the coronavirus pandemic (mainly the shutdown associated with it), the EU is behind on tax revenue, and wants to make American companies pay. American companies actually don't have a very big presence in Europe, since Europe doesn't really import much from the US, in the big scheme of things. So the biggest and most conspicuous type American companies in Europe are the tech companies.
    The trouble with tech companies though is you are dealing entirely with information. So how to control it? You have to put controls on the internet itself.

    https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/18/eu-...firms-for-not-removing-extremist-content.html

    https://www.dw.com/en/eu-calls-for-greater-regulation-of-us-tech-companies/a-53717205

    https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/1...g-facebook-google-apple-competition-brussels/

    https://www.ft.com/content/4274817a-e81f-11e9-a240-3b065ef5fc55
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2020
  2. fmw

    fmw Well-Known Member

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    Good news. Perhaps we can block them here in the U.S. as well. They obviously do more harm than good for society.
     
  3. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Elon Musk pledged to allow free speech on Twitter without excessive censorship.

    After Elon Musk's offer to buy Twitter was officially accepted, the European Union threatened to sanction the platform if it did not comply with the newly passed technical moderation law.

    European Union economics commissioner Thierry Breton told the Financial Times that Twitter must comply with the new Digital Services Act or it "restricts - 6 percent of revenue and, if they continue, will be banned from operations in Europe".

    The European Union signed a provisional agreement for the Digital Services Act over the weekend, nearly a year and a half after it was first proposed. The law is said to "sets an unprecedented new standard for the accountability of online platforms with respect to illegal and harmful content."

    Although the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights supposedly provide protections for free speech, it creates strict rules for "hate speech" and how it is defined.

    The United Kingdom is attempting to pass a similar bill, the Online Safety Bill, that would force online platforms to take action against "harmful content", both illegal and legal.

    Musk has described himself in recent weeks as a “free speech absolutist” and has expressed his belief that free speech and a public forum that is more and more credible and broadly inclusive for the future of civilization is crucial. He also made several tweets in recent days supporting free speech as the world awaits the much-awaited next move from Twitter.

    https://biz.crast.net/eu-threatens-to-ban-twitter-after-elon-musk-buys-it/
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2022
  4. lemmiwinx

    lemmiwinx Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    American oligarchs, Russian oligarchs I say ban 'em all. And take their mansions and yachts too.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. GrayMan

    GrayMan Well-Known Member

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    He will just have to add an EU filter to all content and add an notice.

    "You cannot see this because your government hates you and believes you shouldn't have an opinion. Please comply and believe everything they tell you and make sure you vote in people who will make more laws to restrict your freedoms. Your betters know better than you. - Twitter Advisory Board".
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2022
    mswan likes this.
  6. fmw

    fmw Well-Known Member

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    European Union may implement censorship against American companies like Google

    What was once an economic union has gone to the dark side. We don't allow government censorship in the U.S. Obviously it is ok in Europe.
     

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