The internet is not what it was supposed to be. Early tech pioneers and the tech entrepreneurs who came after them imagined a world without borders that would bring us together, where all human knowledge would be available at our fingertips and everybody would have a voice. If there had been a motto for what the internet was supposed to stand for, it would have been collaboration, openness, freedom. But while we got some of that, we also got polarization, falsehoods, rising extremism that destabilizes societies, autocratic powers that undermine democracies, and giant tech companies that are eliminating privacy. We got a system that not only permits, but amplifies hate, bullying, and divisiveness.
Big Tech has started to timidly manage the content available on its platforms, and the debate over whether the internet should be a place where anyone can say anything is raging. Facebook took down Trump ads with a Nazi sign and a campaign video with COVID misinformation. Reddit banned 2,000 subreddits, including The_Donald, a forum with nearly 800,000 users, because of repeated violation of the platforms rules against hate speech, harassment, and content manipulation. Twitter started adding fact-check notices on tweets and even briefly suspended the Trump campaigns account for spreading false information. Molyneux, a Canadian white supremacist, was banned from YouTube. Trump was suspended on Twitch for hateful conduct.
Some people lambast these moves as putting tech giants on a slippery slope that leads straight to censorship. Others are more quietly concerned about what they mean for the future of free speech. But these arguments seem to overlook that the internet today is a driver of division and chaos because we have lost sight of a simple truth: To be truly inclusive, the internet needs to get comfortable with exclusion.
If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them, Austrian philosopher Karl Popper warned 75 years ago in laying out the Paradox of Tolerance. He raised the idea that a line needs to be drawn when the preservation of society is at stake. In other words, if we truly value democracy and the free-speech environment that have allowed Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and many other sites to flourish as places that showcase a multiplicity of voices, we need to urgently stop broadcasting the voices that threaten this environment. As UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson declared during the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: Racist hate speech [] threatens to silence the free speech of its victims.
To be tolerated, an opinion has to respect the right of all humans to exist equally. As African American novelist and activist Robert Jones Jr. wrote: We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist. When someone is calling for a group of people to be discriminated against, for someone to be bullied, raped, or murdered, for a specific race or gender to be considered inferior, they are by definition making it impossible for the space they are occupying to be inclusive.
And while beliefs, truth, and interpretation of facts can be debated, it is incredibly dangerous to extend intellectual relativism to facts. Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored, Aldous Huxley noted in the 1920s. A common understanding of facts is required to enable any kind of discussion, collaboration, and ultimately trust between human beings. When the frontier between reality and fiction is constantly undermined, the foundations of human society start to irremediably crumble.
Tech platforms laissez-faire approach to content moderationdraped in the flag of free speech and amplified by algorithms that are optimized to incite extreme emotionshas created a swamp where the strongest, loudest, and most outrageous voices triumph. By trying to be inclusive without setting boundaries and protections, weve allowed people who crave division and violence to have more reach than ever: Theyre undermining the fabric of the society that allows them to exist in the first place.
There are those who argue that imposing any kind of limitations on content will inevitably lead to governments muzzling dissidents and suppressing criticism. They seem to forget the continent where Im from. Europe has been doing this for a few decades, and while mistakes have been made, free speech is alive and well in most quarters. Following World War II, Western European democracies have implemented a series of measures that, while protecting free speech, ensure that it isnt absolute and takes into account other values and rights, such as human dignity and safety. In Germany, Austria, and France, for example, Holocaust denial is punishable by law. Germany has banned parties with Nazi ideologies.
This approach also works well in the business world. Across the globe, companies that want to be inclusive and ensure equal opportunities for all employees tend to have zero-tolerance policies toward hate speech, racism, discrimination, and fabrication of facts. In other words, to remain tolerant and competitive, they dont tolerate intolerance and misinformation.
When it comes to the internet, some of the largest platforms recognize the need to restrict speech. Wikipedia puts content through a fairly intensive vetting process focused on ensuring accuracy of facts. Social networks have spent considerable time defining comprehensive guidelines around whats acceptable and whats not and have hired moderators to enforce them. Facebook released community standards in 2018 outlining six different types of content that would be restricted, and it employs more than 15.000 moderators in the U.S. to enforce (at least some of) these restrictions. YouTube, Twitter, Reddit, and others have rules that explicitly ban certain types of content. Unfortunately, judging by the results, these efforts have been inadequate. The rules have been a moving target and sanctions variable.
So, before we talk about whether we need new rules and guidelines for content on the internet, we need tech platforms to start implementing their own guidelines with strong conviction and the full force of their formidable resources. Tech used to be the place that attracted people who wanted to disrupt the status quo and were not afraid to go to war with the powerful, the rich, the established. Early tech pioneers were fearless in their conviction that they were building a better, more inclusive world. We need todays tech leaders to be equally fearless, for the world and for our democracies. Only by being intolerant of the intolerants will we realize the original dream of building an inclusive internet.
Maelle Gavet has worked in technology for 15 years. She served as CEO of Ozon, an executive vice president at Priceline Group, and chief operating officer of Compass. She is the author of a forthcoming book,Trampled by Unicorns: Big Techs Empathy Problem and How to Fix It.
View original post here:
It's time for tech platforms to stop tolerating the intolerable - Fast Company
- University round table examines challenges to free speech - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- University of Worcester fares well in free speech study - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- A line beyond which one may not go - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Councillor accused of stifling free speech after making complaint against counterparts social media use - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- The French Debate: Free Speech Versus Hate Speech - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Church of England removing vicars right to free speech? - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- FREE SPEECH ZONE s08e06 (2-7-15) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Charlie Hebdo/The Interview: Free Speech: Free to Murder? - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Free Speech & Liberty Pizza House opening comment 2015 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- 2015=02-01 Limits of Free Speech - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Health Free Speech Petition and Litigation - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Putin Popularity Rating: Russian President's 80% approval rating may stem from free speech violation - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Steven Pinker's "Why free speech is fundamental" - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- "Islam & Free Speech" - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Free Speech and the Battle for Western Culture - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- (UPDATED) CAIR Officials Nationwide Condemn Charlie Hebdo Attack, Defend Free Speech - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- The Koch Brothers and $889 million free speech dollars - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Mark Zuckerberg Reverses Decision On Free Speech - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Rick Perry: Court ruling imposes chilling effect on free speech - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- TAVIS SMILEY | FREE SPEECH IN AMERICA | January 26-27, 2015 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Lord Jamar: USA's Only About Free Speech When It's Convenient - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Free Speech vs Politically Correct (Liberal Hypocrisy) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Sharif Nashashibi, Suzanne Nossel, Munir Pervaiz Saami discusses free speech - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- FREE SPEECH ZONE s08e04 (1-24-15) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Do I Think #6: Voting, Free Speech & #GamerGate - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Chris Hedges: Roots of Terrorism, Free Speech Hypocrisy & Translating #JeSuisCharlie - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Q&A Banning Haters: What About Free Speech? - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Putin's grip on free speech - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Why Saudi Arabia Is Flogging A Free Speech Activist - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Islamists Deny Media Access at At Muslim Free Speech Conference - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Metallica- Free Speech For The Dumb - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- 1st Peoples, Palestine, and the Crushing of Free Speech - Steven Salaita - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Free Speech Hypocrisy In France - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Pope clarifies position on free speech - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Muslim response to Charlie Hebdo Attack - Free speech or insult? - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Charlie Hebdo, double standards and free speech - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Gays, Islam, Free Speech - Tony Perkins, Bill Maher & MORE! LiberalViewer Sunday Clip Round-Up 91 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Free Speech: Mercury is Speech, Venus is Values - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- The Pope Supports "Free Speech" (sort of) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Ring of Fire on Free Speech TV - 01/18/2015 (FULL EPISODE) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Mad about free speech and North Korea? Hack back, says group - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Ring of Fire on Free Speech TV - 02/08/2015 (FULL EPISODE) - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Ring of Fire on Free Speech TV - 02/01/2015 (FULL EPISODE) - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- MP George Galloway on Free Speech Charlatans & Austin Powers Foreign Policy in Syria - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Limited Free Speech Isn't Free Speech - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Volokh Conspiracy: Murder at Copenhagen debate on free speech attended by Swedish Muhammad cartoonist - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- One dead after shooting at free speech event in Denmark featuring controversial artist - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Gunman kills 1 in attack on free speech event in Denmark - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Deadly shooting at Copenhagen free speech event - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Are Students Free to Speak Their Mind? Well at Southampton, yes. - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Shooting targets free speech event in Denmark, killing one - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Police: 1 dead in shooting at Copenhagen free speech event - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- The Heat debates free speech and assembly in France - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Detroit's Campus Martius: Banning Free Speech in Public Space - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Dr William Lane Craig: The Moral Argument (Proof of God) - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Did Pope Francis Preach Violence? - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Danish police kill gunman believed behind 2 shootings - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Danish shooter had gangland past - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Free speech in Britain: Police tracking people who bought ... - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Copenhagen shooting: Free speech seminar attacked - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Professor Advocates Violence Against White Racist - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Muslim Coward Attempts to Murder Swedish Artist - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Srsly Wrong - 41 - Free Speech Zone, Act 1 - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Free Speech and Charming Ignorance - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Police say Copenhagen gunman had criminal record, gang past - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Police say Copenhagen gunman had criminal record and gang past - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- U.S. Funds The Terrorist To Take Our Freedoms - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- First Copenhagen shooting victim identified as film maker - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Danes react to two fatal shootings - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Danish police doing forensic investigation after islamic terrorist was shot dead, 15/2-2015 - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Denmark: See BULLET-RIDDLED scene of first Copenhagen shooting - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Animatrix - Humans vs Machines HD - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- RickWells.us - General Jerry Boykin on UN Attempt To Prohibit Free Speech Regarding Islam - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen Krudttnden Cafe Street View - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Muhammad Cartoonist Targeted! TSA Active Shooter VIDEO, The "Digital Dark Age" and more #TMS - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen free speech debate shooting: One dead - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Germany: Copenhagen attacks, Ukraine ceasefire on Merkel's agenda - Video - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]
- Copenhagen Denmark Shooting - Lars Vilks - Calling Cards Of Hoax Fake Crap - Video - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]
- Danish prime minister visits - Video - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]
- Second Person Dead In Separate Suspected Terror Shootings In Copenhagen - Video - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]