I think OP means they were censoring things that weren't objectionable (offensive, etc,) and they were removing "reasonable" things that were opinions, etc. Maybe I'm wrong, but that is where Twitter/Facebook/etc have lost me; by censoring things that aren't harmful they've opened pandora's box.

They've opened Pandora's box, because now every Joe and Karen realized they can weaponize censorship by being offended by everything.

Right. Nothing these platforms censor or began censoring early on was anywhere near reasonable. It was all political grandstanding to show those in power that big tech are the good guys. They’ll do the political bidding of the elites and politicians will only threaten to hold companies responsible to gain points with their constituents. All the while the politicians and big tech are in bed with each ensuring the information they don’t want shared isn’t shared.

People who think any platform has the right to censor information scare the shit out of me. Save for things that are illegal, every platform should be neutral. Moderation should algorithmically be tied to the law.

So users who troll and harass other users, spam, post hateful content, etc. should never be banned? That's just leads to a precipitous decline in quality and drives other users away. Why would I want to spend my leisure time on a platform filled with 13 year-old shouting racial slurs?

> Why would I want to spend my leisure time on a platform filled with 13 year-old shouting racial slurs?

you wouldn't have to. and if they were the majority, then it would be democracy in action.

Let the people decide. HN deals with this well enough.

Comments can and do get removed for violating the rules here. As they should.

Mostly no, they should not be banned. You'll almost never see it. It's really not a big deal. Would need to get into unlawfulness before considering to censor (slander, doxing, imminent threat to harm, etc).