Re:Google suspending Parler from the Google Play store
by manfredo on Friday January 08, 2021 @08:11PM
(#25694260)
I think one potentially positive outcome is increased knowledge of side-loading apps. Granted, this really only exists as an option on Android but Fortnite demonstrated the feasibility of this approach. If side-loaded apps gain traction it might break the Google Play store monopoly.
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Re:Google suspending Parler from the Google Play store
by H8crilA on Friday January 08, 2021 @08:16PM
(#25694385)
This is a pretty likely outcome - fracture. And certainly wouldn't be the worst for the Internet.
What if the same happens to the Union ...
Re:Google suspending Parler from the Google Play store
by manfredo on Friday January 08, 2021 @08:30PM
(#25694710)
I'm not sure if a fractured internet is more likely to lead to a fractured Union as compared to an internet were a substantial segment of the population feels suppressed. I highly doubt that these bans are going to be effective in terms of curbing undesirable communication. On the other hand, I am confident that they will reinforce perceptions of biased and uneven enforcement.
I am also particularly worried that politicians will use the threat of regulation to coerce companies into suppressing political opponents' messages. The government can't directly ban speech, but if they can intimidate platforms into censuring political opponents they will have achieved the same effect. Better, in fact, because the politicians' agency in this censorship is not visible.