3 ms·

I don't understand how they don't expect a first amendment case against them, they likely are discriminating against certain ethnicities, races, or localities i

I don't understand how they don't expect a first amendment case against them, they likely are discriminating against certain ethnicities, races, or localities in using algorithms to block / sort comments. It seems like at some point all automated moderation like this will have to be reviewable. On the other hand it is nice that their comment section isn't as toxic as it once was.

fallingknife 5y ago
There is no first amendment right to have your comment visible on Youtube. In fact, Youtube has the first amendment right to show whatever comments they want. They could even have fake accounts that post positive comments and upvotes, and charge users money for artificial engagement. Google executives could decide that they wanted to support literal Nazis, and promote their videos, add fake likes and engagements, and do the opposite to any opposing political views. This would all be perfectly legal. We have restricted the constitutional rights of corporations in other cases e.g. utilities, though. And we can do it again.
kube-system 5y ago
Because the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are a governmental founding document and only apply to the government. Alphabet is not part of the government, and therefore, it does not apply. Discrimination by companies toward the public is covered mainly by Civil Rights Act (or the Americans with Disabilities Act in the case of discrimination based on disability).
- bliteben 5y ago
  yeah yeah separate but equal
TulliusCicero 5y ago
A first amendment case based on what? They're not the government.
- bliteben 5y ago
  Employers can't discriminate based on any of these things and there is no right to be employed. This will keep coming up as the percent of speech that happens on monopolized platforms continues to increase.
  - TulliusCicero 5y ago
    > Employers can't discriminate based on any of these things and there is no right to be employed. Okay, but that's not the first amendment. That's the Civil Rights Act, IIRC. And I think it'd be difficult to prove discrimination in this case.

fallingknife 5y ago

There is no first amendment right to have your comment visible on Youtube. In fact, Youtube has the first amendment right to show whatever comments they want. They could even have fake accounts that post positive comments and upvotes, and charge users money for artificial engagement. Google executives could decide that they wanted to support literal Nazis, and promote their videos, add fake likes and engagements, and do the opposite to any opposing political views. This would all be perfectly legal. We have restricted the constitutional rights of corporations in other cases e.g. utilities, though. And we can do it again.

kube-system 5y ago

Because the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are a governmental founding document and only apply to the government. Alphabet is not part of the government, and therefore, it does not apply. Discrimination by companies toward the public is covered mainly by Civil Rights Act (or the Americans with Disabilities Act in the case of discrimination based on disability).

bliteben 5y ago
yeah yeah separate but equal

TulliusCicero 5y ago

A first amendment case based on what? They're not the government.

bliteben 5y ago
Employers can't discriminate based on any of these things and there is no right to be employed. This will keep coming up as the percent of speech that happens on monopolized platforms continues to increase.
- TulliusCicero 5y ago
  > Employers can't discriminate based on any of these things and there is no right to be employed. Okay, but that's not the first amendment. That's the Civil Rights Act, IIRC. And I think it'd be difficult to prove discrimination in this case.