News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:YouTube can restrict PragerU because it is a private foru... by vorpalhex on Thursday February 27, 2020 @11:32AM (#22434719)
> Can Verizon censor the CNN and Fox News that is delivered by cable?

Yes, and they already set standards for the channels they accept on their cable platform.

> Can my cell phone carrier censor whatever conversations I have that they don't like?

No, your phone carrier is a common carrier.

> Can Google skew and eliminate searches they don't agree with?

Yes, but they might hit issues with advertising guidelines depending on intent

Re:YouTube can restrict PragerU because it is a private foru... by ryanmarsh on Thursday February 27, 2020 @11:42AM (#22434870)
Would it be feasible (legally) to build a website which hosts user generated content and be considered a common carrier therefore not responsible for what users post? Illegal forms of pornography would have to be the litmus test here.

People get upset when content is censored which they view to be vital to the public interest. In the case of particularly gruesome combat footage or violent crime I don’t see how in some jurisdictions those sites could operate with the content NOT taken down. For instance, you recall how 8chan was taken down over the Christchurch NZ shooters manifesto and video.

Re:YouTube can restrict PragerU because it is a private foru... by vorpalhex on Thursday February 27, 2020 @12:52PM (#22435716)
> Would it be feasible (legally) to build a website which hosts user generated content and be considered a common carrier therefore not responsible for what users post?

This is already the case per the safe harbor.

> Illegal forms of pornography would have to be the litmus test here.

Note that being not liable is not the same as being immune to takedown. Youtube isn't legally liable for what you post, but they still have to comply with the law (and they are liable if they fail to comply).

> People get upset when content is censored which they view to be vital to the public interest.

Youtube isn't censoring material because of legal liability. Youtube censors material because their investors and advertisers don't want some materials on Youtube which they perceive to negatively affect is, such as combat footage, material seen to be preying on children and anything with nudity.

Re:YouTube can restrict PragerU because it is a private foru... by ng12 on Thursday February 27, 2020 @11:48AM (#22434939)
The question is why YouTube and Twitter shouldn't be treated as common carriers. Is it because they're one-to-many instead of one-to-one?
Re:YouTube can restrict PragerU because it is a private foru... by FireBeyond on Thursday February 27, 2020 @12:49PM (#22435668)
Because among other reasons, common carriers were given certain responsibilities to do so, among the privileges and rights they were given (legislated rights of way, exclusive access to airwaves etc.) that were deemed in the public good.

There are no such limitations on YouTube, Twitter, nor are there restrictions on competition.

Re:YouTube can restrict PragerU because it is a private foru... by blaser-waffle on Thursday February 27, 2020 @12:54PM (#22435737)
I need Verizon (or another carrier) to get onto the internet. I don't need Youtube to make use of the internet.

If my ISP is down I can't watch TV or check my emails. If Youtube is down for an hour I can still shitpost on HN until it's back up.

Re:YouTube can restrict PragerU because it is a private foru... by stronglikedan on Thursday February 27, 2020 @01:35PM (#22436233)
Regarding Google, there's already an abundance of evidence that they can and do.