Alex Jones, owner of the right-wing site “Infowars”, experienced his Armaggedon: several platforms deleted his videos and posts within a few days.

The “Freedom of Speech” is an important aspect of every democracy. But if this restricts other people's freedoms, possibly harassing them or putting them in danger, then a limit has been crossed. Alex Jones also had to go through this experience when he made his “Infowars” platform known through crude conspiracy theories and open hatred of individuals. For example, it was “Infowars” that created Crisis Actors by refugee children and through which the “ Pizzagate ” conspiracy theory spread.

Alex Jones also didn't shy away from calling individuals like former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who investigated Donald Trump's ties to Russia, a pedophile monster who he would like to shoot in the style of a Wild West duel.

Apple, Spotify, Facebook, YouTube

It was now too much for the social media platforms. First, Facebook blocked his personal profile for 30 days, not for spreading fake news, but for hate speech against transgender people, Muslims and immigrants. Apple then deleted six Infowars podcasts from iTunes, and finally Spotify and finally YouTube responded to the increasing protests of the Infowars posts.

Is this censorship?

At least that’s what Paul Joseph Watson, an employee of “Infowars,” claims in a tweet .

Screenshot Twitter
Screenshot Twitter

Many of his followers agree with him, but that is simply wrong. All of these companies, whether Facebook or Apple or Google, are private companies and essentially have domicile rights on their platforms.
You can accept user contributions, but you can also delete them at any time if they violate their community standards. A comic from XKCD sums this up nicely:

Source: XKCD
Source: XKCD

Translation:

The right to freedom of expression means that the government cannot arrest you for what you say [ Unless it involves criminal speech such as Holocaust denial or incitement to violence ]. That doesn't mean everyone else has to listen to your bullshit or support you. The First Amendment does not protect you from criticism or consequences. Being yelled at, having your show canceled, or being banned from an internet community does not violate your right to free speech. It's just that people think you're an asshole. And then they show you the door.

Silence… for now

Of course Alex Jones won't let this go. His staff will continue to spread his theories that the Obamas are demons (because they smell like sulfur) and Hillary Clinton is killing little children. Restricting the reach of this potential fake news site is a good step towards a more hate-free Internet.


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Notes:
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