3 ms·

If only there was some principle that WhatsApp could abide by, rather then being torn between different governments, pressure groups ...

nasir 4y ago
This possibly explains why WhatsApp and Instagram were not blocked in Iran similar to Telegram. There seems to be a deal between Meta and the the government of Iran.
- runnerup 4y ago
  I'd wonder if that violates any sanctions.
  - psuresh 4y ago
    Sanctions are joke nowadays. Every country tweak it to its needs.
pid-1 4y ago
Why would Whatsapp have any principles besides following local laws? It's just trouble with no business gains.
- amadeuspagel 4y ago
  As this example shows, following local laws can itself mean trouble.
- JumpCrisscross 4y ago
  > Why would any business have any principles besides following local laws? Local laws change. Facebook’s sociopathic culture has put it at a material disadvantage when it comes to public opinion and merger/regulatory approvals. If that spills into judgement of its employees, it could turn into a recruiting problem.
  - pid-1 4y ago
    I see where your are coming from, but I'm not convinced the alternatives are any better. The moment Meta fails to follow any local law, policimakers all over the world will scratch their heads and think about how that could happen in their own juridictions. There will be consequences. Moreover, most countries in the world regulate speech in many ways. I don't see why Meta should bear the responsibility of being the global free speech police when local citizens themselves were not keen at fighting this battle.
    - JumpCrisscross 4y ago
      > moment Meta fails to follow any local law Meta has a thorough history of selectively following local laws. > don't see why Meta should bear the responsibility of being the global free speech police They don't. They have a duty to not undermining American interests overseas. If they need active lawmaking to tell them when they are and are not doing that, Congress will create a permanent regulator for them.
- beardyw 4y ago
  Reputation. Ignore it at your peril.

nasir 4y ago

This possibly explains why WhatsApp and Instagram were not blocked in Iran similar to Telegram. There seems to be a deal between Meta and the the government of Iran.

runnerup 4y ago
I'd wonder if that violates any sanctions.
- psuresh 4y ago
  Sanctions are joke nowadays. Every country tweak it to its needs.

pid-1 4y ago

Why would Whatsapp have any principles besides following local laws? It's just trouble with no business gains.

amadeuspagel 4y ago
As this example shows, following local laws can itself mean trouble.
JumpCrisscross 4y ago
> Why would any business have any principles besides following local laws? Local laws change. Facebook’s sociopathic culture has put it at a material disadvantage when it comes to public opinion and merger/regulatory approvals. If that spills into judgement of its employees, it could turn into a recruiting problem.
- pid-1 4y ago
  I see where your are coming from, but I'm not convinced the alternatives are any better. The moment Meta fails to follow any local law, policimakers all over the world will scratch their heads and think about how that could happen in their own juridictions. There will be consequences. Moreover, most countries in the world regulate speech in many ways. I don't see why Meta should bear the responsibility of being the global free speech police when local citizens themselves were not keen at fighting this battle.
  - JumpCrisscross 4y ago
    > moment Meta fails to follow any local law Meta has a thorough history of selectively following local laws. > don't see why Meta should bear the responsibility of being the global free speech police They don't. They have a duty to not undermining American interests overseas. If they need active lawmaking to tell them when they are and are not doing that, Congress will create a permanent regulator for them.
beardyw 4y ago
Reputation. Ignore it at your peril.