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Private companies are regulated all the time. Look up the rules for any utility or communications company. They banned politicians, so that's going to get laws
by protomyth 4y ago
Private companies are regulated all the time. Look up the rules for any utility or communications company. They banned politicians, so that's going to get laws passed.
- ProAm 4y agoThey are given massive subsidies from the government to do so. Social networks have nothing to do with infrastructure where as utilities and communications do.
- ClumsyPilot 4y ago> Social networks have nothing to do with infrastructure where as utilities and communications do Social network and communications have nothing to do with each-other? are you reading what you are writing? How is Facebook messenger call different from a phonecall of the 21st century?
- triceratops 4y agoI only have one or 2 choices of phone carriers with a high cost to switch. I have a multitude of alternatives to FB Messenger (which I don't even use) with very low cost to switch.
- Const-me 4y agoYou can use any phone carrier you want, one of these two real ones, or one of the hundreds of VoIP providers. Regardless on your choice, you can still call the people you want, regardless on their carrier. The only difference is cost per minute, which is typically low cost to switch. It's impossible to use an alternative messenger to communicate with people who use FB messenger. Unlike e-mail providers or phone operators, these newer web services don't have any interoperability, they're closed systems. To switch from Facebook, a person gonna need to convince all people they communicate with to switch as well - to the same alternative messenger. That's very high cost to switch, borderline impossible to do for many people.
- triceratops 4y agoWhy? You can't call them on the phone, or text them? Or email them? There's plenty of other open systems around.
- ProAm 4y agoCommunication is infrastructure. A social network is not. Pretty straight forward.
- scarface74 4y agoA phone call is enabled by easements on public land. Facebook Messenger is just one of many messaging programs. I bet you right now Google has 5 in the works. I have at least 7 apps on my phone now that I can use to call someone over an app.
- triceratops 4y agoSo why aren't ISPs regulated like common carriers?
- protomyth 4y agoBefore 2018 they were, and now they are listed as Title I information services. There is a bit of a court fight over the ability of state regulators to impose rules. I would imagine that they could be moved back if they cause trouble for politicians.
- triceratops 4y agoThat's an open admission that none of these laws are about principles or "freedom of speech". They're openly political, and they should be upfront about that.
- protomyth 4y agoEvery law is politically motivated. "Freedom of Speech" is a politically motivated.
- mr_toad 4y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verizon_Communications_Inc._v._FCC_(2014) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verizon_Communications_Inc._v....
- scarface74 4y agoUtilities and communication companies are natural monopoles because they require government easements on private property and a license to limited airways