With the town square metaphor: while you cannot be prosecuted for what you say in the square, you can be persecuted by your civilian peers; folks may stop speak

With the town square metaphor: while you cannot be prosecuted for what you say in the square, you can be persecuted by your civilian peers; folks may stop speaking to you, or begin informing others of your nature. Twitter et al booting persons from their services is the neighbour slamming their door in your face, or the baker refusing to do business with you. The town square is tcp/ip, not the services on top of it.