#5SmartReads - January 12, 2021

On free speech vs. terms of service, Kamala Harris' Vogue cover, and a new challenge to abortion laws

Big Tech's free speech showdown (Axios)

This is the First Amendment of the US Constitution:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

CONGRESS shall make no law with regards to speech. Private companies, however, reserve the right to draft and enforce their terms of service.

We’ve come to view social media and tech platforms as a public utility, not private companies, which explains the reaction from conservatives who feel they’re being censored or their First Amendment rights being violated.

In any case, we’re headed for a showdown and some kind of (late) regulation of Big Tech. And it will get worse before it gets better, so prepare yourselves.

And, you know, maybe don’t plan and participate in a coup. On the Internet or in general.