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> A source in Uganda’s telecom sector said the government had made clear to executives at telecoms companies that the social media ban was in retaliation for Fa

> A source in Uganda’s telecom sector said the government had made clear to executives at telecoms companies that the social media ban was in retaliation for Facebook blocking some pro-government accounts. This is probably the interesting bit - a retaliatory move by a regime trying to silence the opposition. I don't think this has too many parallels (except for blocking of accounts) with the current US events, which is why this is probably being upvoted?

whatshisface 6y ago
Escalating retaliation between corporations and centers of political power is something that could happen in the US.
- secondcoming 6y ago
  It could be argued that FAANG-type corporations are now the centres of political power.
mainstreem 6y ago
>a retaliatory move by a regime trying to silence the opposition. I don't think this has too many parallels with the current US events You're right, in the US the government doesn't have the right to shut down private businesses because of the political beliefs of the users, so the hard left gets Big Tech to operate as a cartel to do it for them.
baybal2 6y ago
It's really inconsequential to the man in charger. He is, after all, running for like his 10th term now.
slim 6y ago
It is related to US elections. because dictators in Africa can point to USA when they get criticized. Why should Facebook have the power to police speech during elections in Uganda and not the state of Uganda ?
- travisoneill1 6y ago
  Why should the state have power to police speech during elections? (FB shouldn't either)
  - slim 6y ago
    to ensure election is fair. one candidate could be a media mogul, other candidates won't have a chance against him. it's the same reason why tv debates are timed and have to be balanced
- Apocryphon 6y ago
  They don't have to point to the U.S., they've been doing this for a while now: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25711941 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25711941
- ejanus 6y ago
  Don't use such words here dictators_ and why Africa?

whatshisface 6y ago

Escalating retaliation between corporations and centers of political power is something that could happen in the US.

secondcoming 6y ago
It could be argued that FAANG-type corporations are now the centres of political power.

mainstreem 6y ago

>a retaliatory move by a regime trying to silence the opposition. I don't think this has too many parallels with the current US events You're right, in the US the government doesn't have the right to shut down private businesses because of the political beliefs of the users, so the hard left gets Big Tech to operate as a cartel to do it for them.

baybal2 6y ago

It's really inconsequential to the man in charger. He is, after all, running for like his 10th term now.

slim 6y ago

It is related to US elections. because dictators in Africa can point to USA when they get criticized. Why should Facebook have the power to police speech during elections in Uganda and not the state of Uganda ?

travisoneill1 6y ago
Why should the state have power to police speech during elections? (FB shouldn't either)
- slim 6y ago
  to ensure election is fair. one candidate could be a media mogul, other candidates won't have a chance against him. it's the same reason why tv debates are timed and have to be balanced
Apocryphon 6y ago
They don't have to point to the U.S., they've been doing this for a while now: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25711941 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25711941
ejanus 6y ago
Don't use such words here dictators_ and why Africa?