Recently a federal Judge ruled that President Donald J Trump cannot block US citizens on twitter without violating the first amendment. While this may seem a trivial matter, it may well have far reaching implications on the way Twitter is allowed to operate.
Since the 2016 election their has been much talk in conservative circles about unfair censorship and bans by twitter. These complaints were often met with “Twitter is a private company they can do what they want”, but that may no longer be the case with this new ruling. The ruling is based on the idea that when Trump blocks a person, they are no longer able to engage in discourse under his tweet, which as the court sees it is a “public square”. If this logic is carried forward, is it not a violation of the 1st amendment if an American individual is banned from Twitter? Just like those blocked by Trump, those who have been banned, censored, or shadow banned are also incapable of communicating with their leader via his favorite public forum.
While the left celebrates this as some sort of victory over Trump, it may be whats needed to finally break Big Tech’s stranglehold on speech and censorship of right wing views in this country.
This case, and the many like it that are sure to follow could potentially change the dynamics of internet speech and censorship forever. Pay attention.