Again, private companies really need to remain smaller. The size of the companies are completely out of control. So do they have too much control? Of course.

With that said, they are only doing what they know the masses want. So in a way, they're just doing the people's bidding. If Google thought the majority wanted Parler and hate speech, they'd certainly have kept it up.

When I worked at Facebook, the wide-audience internal feeds were kind of dominated by very um.. progressive, enthusiastic messaging that I’d even call activism. And it was considered cool to participate and be in that.. well, ‘clique’ may not be exactly the word but it’s close.

I actually did think it was cool! However, if there were any right wing folks there, naturally they kept quiet.

Also, there are a huge number of conservatives and moderates using Facebook. The main point I’m trying to make is that it is misguided to believe that these companies do not have their very own conscience / worldview / quite strongly held political values.

Facebook literally tweaked algorithms to advantage right conservative websites. If the planned change would disadvantage them, the change was modified until they ended up on top.

Sure, but a 1984 comparison is not appropriate here.

Why not? Will you care who oppresses you?

This reply cannot possibly be a good faith addition to the discussion.

Accusing people of bad faith is against HN policy.

While true, fsflover has not made any statements and is only posting questions. He's "JAQing off" [0], so to speak. It's a hallmark of bad faith arguing.

[0] https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Just_asking_questions

I honestly don't understand why the 1984 comparison is not appropriate here, because the book is about the oppression. I don't know how it's for you guys (that's why I asked), but for me it does not matter who oppresses me, government or corporations.

It most definitely is.