Re:Germany, in a First, Shuts Down Left-Wing Extremist Website
by thomasz on Saturday August 26, 2017 @03:12AM
(#15104437)
This has nothing to do with ideas. The site was used as a dumping ground for letters claiming responsibility^1, doxxing of right wing activists, calls for violent protest and so on. The whole thing is a little bit odd because in the past, this kind of prosecution has been targeted way bigger threats: Jihadists, Biker Gangs, paramilitary Nazi groups and stuff like that.
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^1 for what may be best described as "petty terror": Torched cars, smashed windows etc.
Re:Germany, in a First, Shuts Down Left-Wing Extremist Website
by alexanderstears on Friday August 25, 2017 @05:39PM
(#15102449)
It's come up at my firm. I spoke about it 1:1 with the decision owner and advocated for my employer to be less actively censorious(?). However, I don't think there's a risk free way to express that opinion in a meeting. It doesn't help that one of my cowokers has a big "#RESIST" sticker on their work laptop (nevermind that we agree not to put stickers on our work laptops when they're issued...).
My American political bent surely influences this, but the censorship of ideas on the internet leaves a foul taste in my mouth. I would hope that was an opinion shared among the majority of tech folks, but comments lately on HN lead to me believe that is no longer the case.