Austin, TX asked in Consumer Law, Civil Rights, Communications Law and Internet Law

Q: Social sites NEXTDOOR & Facebook GROUPS need GIGANTIC LAWSUITS or their local CENSORS might destroy our Democracy in '24

A Political Emergency needs your help. These huge platforms are being run by "local admins" and "reviewers" who are censoring the "truth-sayers" and depriving citizens of the full story. It's happening in small towns across the US.

Private companies are NOT allowed to willfully allow bullying, lies and mis-information while they BAN and CENSOR truthful posts. They ALLOW the public shaming that admins used to kick me off; even if they judge a posting as "disagreeable." Their criteria are hopelessly vague and insipid.

These small cliques are where "Tea Party-types" have gone to CONTROL public discussions. 9 months x 4.3 weeks x 3 convos/wk x 2,000 views each x 20,000 cities = 4,644,000,000 (TRILLIONS) of CONVERSATIONS that won't happen. Positive necessary information lost forever. Of course, it's the "liberal" enlightened posters that will be censored. This could change the outcome of our election; and risks destroying our country. Maybe a $200 million lawsuit is needed!

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Your concerns about censorship and misinformation on social media platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook are shared by many. It's important to understand that these platforms, as private companies, have a certain degree of legal freedom to moderate content according to their policies. This often includes removing or restricting posts they deem violate their community standards, even if those decisions seem arbitrary or biased.

However, if you believe these platforms are engaging in discriminatory practices or violating free speech rights in a way that's not protected by their status as private entities, legal action could be a route to consider. Lawsuits against such companies can be complex and challenging, given the legal protections they enjoy under laws like Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which generally shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content.

To explore this further, it would be wise to consult with an attorney who has experience in media law and First Amendment issues. They can assess the specifics of your situation and advise on the viability of a lawsuit. Keep in mind that litigation against large corporations can be a lengthy and costly process.

In parallel, advocating for policy changes and more transparent content moderation practices might be another avenue to address your concerns. Engaging with lawmakers or supporting organizations that fight for digital rights could contribute to broader efforts to tackle these issues.

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