4 ms·

Payment processing and hosting aren't treated like phone companies; they're allowed to be discriminatory in who they do business with. Is there a valid reason

by qball 6y ago

Payment processing and hosting aren't treated like phone companies; they're allowed to be discriminatory in who they do business with. Is there a valid reason for that? No. Is the end result of there being no law forcing financial and manufacturers of modern printing presses like those to do business with everyone a threat to the First Amendment? Absolutely, and I'd argue the state has a compelling interest here to force them. Until that changes, "just build your own platform" isn't helpful.

nexuist 6y ago
You don't have to use a hosting service; you can purchase servers by yourself and run your own datacenter without ever involving a third party. Payment processors are not required; you can accept physical checks or digital currency such as Bitcoin without involving a third party processor. A bank isn't allowed to close your account unless you do something illegal, so aren't you safe there? Modern day conveniences like AWS and Stripe are just that - conveniences. You can do what they do on your own. If you manage to find enough paying customers, then there is nothing stopping you from becoming your own manufacturer or payment processor. If you cannot find enough paying customers (in the form of subscriptions or donations), then arguably there is no reason for you to exist anyways.
- TA0X6 6y ago
  Not sure what part of "payment processors can discriminate" you don't understand. Even if you purchased your own hardware, your ISP, the payment processor you use to pay your ISP, your registrar, the payment processor you use to pay your registrar, etc. are not neutral entities. That makes "host your own" meaningless.
  - nexuist 6y ago
    The payment processor I use to pay my ISP and registrar like...my bank account? To date I have never heard of anyone having their Internet cut off because their ISP did not like their political views. I am pretty sure neonazis are welcome to use all ISPs, from Comcast to Cox.
    - TA0X6 6y ago
      >The payment processor I use to pay my ISP and registrar like...my bank account? Even if it's your bank account, you're still using a payment processor. Even if that's your bank, they can also decide not to do business with you. >To date I have never heard of anyone having their Internet cut off because their ISP did not like their political views. I am pretty sure neonazis are welcome to use all ISPs, from Comcast to Cox. Google what happened to Stormfront. Not that I agree with their views, but their ISPs, registrars, etc. told them to pound sand.
      - nexuist 6y ago
        What happened to Stormfront was due to them being involved in egging on mass shootings. You are free to say whatever you want but you cannot incite violence. Is that not the system working? They were not banned for being racists; they were banned for being killers.
        TA0X6 6y ago
        >What happened to Stormfront was due to them being involved in egging on mass shootings. You are free to say whatever you want but you cannot incite violence. Promotion of hatred is not egging on mass shootings. Inciting violence is indeed illegal, but they were not taken offline due to that. >They were not banned for being racists; they were banned for being killers. Incorrect. They were not taken offline due to a order/warrant/etc. They were taken offline because it was politically expedient for their services providers to.

by qball 6y ago

nexuist 6y ago

You don't have to use a hosting service; you can purchase servers by yourself and run your own datacenter without ever involving a third party. Payment processors are not required; you can accept physical checks or digital currency such as Bitcoin without involving a third party processor. A bank isn't allowed to close your account unless you do something illegal, so aren't you safe there? Modern day conveniences like AWS and Stripe are just that - conveniences. You can do what they do on your own. If you manage to find enough paying customers, then there is nothing stopping you from becoming your own manufacturer or payment processor. If you cannot find enough paying customers (in the form of subscriptions or donations), then arguably there is no reason for you to exist anyways.

TA0X6 6y ago
Not sure what part of "payment processors can discriminate" you don't understand. Even if you purchased your own hardware, your ISP, the payment processor you use to pay your ISP, your registrar, the payment processor you use to pay your registrar, etc. are not neutral entities. That makes "host your own" meaningless.
- nexuist 6y ago
  The payment processor I use to pay my ISP and registrar like...my bank account? To date I have never heard of anyone having their Internet cut off because their ISP did not like their political views. I am pretty sure neonazis are welcome to use all ISPs, from Comcast to Cox.
  - TA0X6 6y ago
    >The payment processor I use to pay my ISP and registrar like...my bank account? Even if it's your bank account, you're still using a payment processor. Even if that's your bank, they can also decide not to do business with you. >To date I have never heard of anyone having their Internet cut off because their ISP did not like their political views. I am pretty sure neonazis are welcome to use all ISPs, from Comcast to Cox. Google what happened to Stormfront. Not that I agree with their views, but their ISPs, registrars, etc. told them to pound sand.
    - nexuist 6y ago
      What happened to Stormfront was due to them being involved in egging on mass shootings. You are free to say whatever you want but you cannot incite violence. Is that not the system working? They were not banned for being racists; they were banned for being killers.
      - TA0X6 6y ago
        >What happened to Stormfront was due to them being involved in egging on mass shootings. You are free to say whatever you want but you cannot incite violence. Promotion of hatred is not egging on mass shootings. Inciting violence is indeed illegal, but they were not taken offline due to that. >They were not banned for being racists; they were banned for being killers. Incorrect. They were not taken offline due to a order/warrant/etc. They were taken offline because it was politically expedient for their services providers to.