Your comments match what I've read. Speaking in practical terms, Musk faces many dilemmas. He wants an international product. But as you've noted, there are vastly different standards on what speech is allowable in different nations. To remain acceptable, a social media co. must either censor (pardon me, "moderate content") to suit each individual jurisdiction. More cost-effective to apply a one-size-fits-all muzzle. If I were Musk, I would take a "fuck you" attitude and let other nations try and ban my product or censor communication, forcing them to reveal themselves as the neo-fascist regimes that they really are.
For those not familiar with the issues, consider this example. In the USA it's protected speech to for example, deny that the Jewish Holocaust happened or to make racially offensive comments and such. You will likely get banned, fired from your job and not receive any more invitations to cocktail parties in DC, but it's protected speech by the First Amendment. But if you say those things in many countries you risk fines or even prison terms. Yes really, no kidding.
I didn't know until recently that many other European countries take a dimmer view of free speech than the UK does. In many of them, libel is a *criminal* offence.
Their legal systems are different ... and inferior, based on what I now know.
Yes, best to use the First Amendment, then leave it to countries to censor further if they dare (Most will).
Your comments match what I've read. Speaking in practical terms, Musk faces many dilemmas. He wants an international product. But as you've noted, there are vastly different standards on what speech is allowable in different nations. To remain acceptable, a social media co. must either censor (pardon me, "moderate content") to suit each individual jurisdiction. More cost-effective to apply a one-size-fits-all muzzle. If I were Musk, I would take a "fuck you" attitude and let other nations try and ban my product or censor communication, forcing them to reveal themselves as the neo-fascist regimes that they really are.
For those not familiar with the issues, consider this example. In the USA it's protected speech to for example, deny that the Jewish Holocaust happened or to make racially offensive comments and such. You will likely get banned, fired from your job and not receive any more invitations to cocktail parties in DC, but it's protected speech by the First Amendment. But if you say those things in many countries you risk fines or even prison terms. Yes really, no kidding.
I didn't know until recently that many other European countries take a dimmer view of free speech than the UK does. In many of them, libel is a *criminal* offence.
Their legal systems are different ... and inferior, based on what I now know.
Yes, best to use the First Amendment, then leave it to countries to censor further if they dare (Most will).