Silicon Valley’s steps to oust President Trump from social media are a display of power that the companies have been avoiding for nearly four years. Now Twitter Inc., Facebook Inc. and others reckon with what comes next.
In a few days, Twitter and Facebook – Mr. Trump’s major social media megaphones – acted to silence the president’s personal accounts or online communities dedicated to him, citing rules banning content that incites violence. There are companies like Snap Inc. with them. and Reddit Inc. joined.
Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and Google from Alphabet Inc. also took steps to launch Parler, a social media app and website, which became popular with conservatives – and which some rioters used to launch Wednesday’s attack on the US Capitol, according to screenshots viewed by The Wall Street Journal.
The action against mr. Trump and Parler illustrate more than ever the influence of companies on online conversations – and the political nature of their decisions. While praised by many, the president and some of his supporters erased, also infuriating others who said it amounted to censorship, and the increase dared to drive some users down in a way that was particularly appealing to Twitter. can reform their businesses. It also illustrates the political nature of how they determine what content should be removed, what content should be allowed and what should be reinforced.
“Right or wrong, they made a political decision,” said Jonathon Hauenschild, director of the communications and technology task force of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative nonprofit group, about the companies’ moves. Attention to the technology giants “was there to begin with. “Now the spotlight is on completely,” he said.