In recent years, social media has become an increasingly important tool for journalists to gather information and contact sources. However, this digital frontier has become more oppressive in recent years, with major companies like Facebook and Google limiting access to certain information.
This has been particularly true in regards to content that relate to guns and the Second Amendment. Many have accused these companies of working in collusion with the government to limit the distribution of ideas and information that do not align with their own ideals.
News2A, a popular 2A Facebook page, discovered this firsthand when they attempted to search for information about gun shops on their Facebook feed. Instead of being taken to a list of pages and groups related to gun shops, they were met with a pop-up notification from Facebook. The notification warned them that the term “gun shop” was associated with private gun sales, which are not allowed on Facebook. The notification offered two options: “Continue” and “Go to News Feed.”
The editor from News2A clicked “Continue” and was met with yet another warning. The notification read “This search may be associated with the sale of firearms” and went on to say that the private sale of firearms can cause harm and is illegal in most countries. The notification went on to threaten users that if they do not follow Facebook’s community standards, their account may be restricted or disabled. News2A’s editor later took to Twitter to share their experience and express their concern about Facebook’s censorship of gun-related content.
This is not the first time Facebook and other tech companies have been accused of censoring content related to guns and the Second Amendment. In 2018, Facebook announced that it would be banning all content related to the sale or transfer of firearms on its platform.
This move was met with criticism from many gun rights activists who saw it as an attack on their Second Amendment rights. Many pointed out that the ban would not actually prevent private gun sales from taking place, but would simply limit people’s ability to engage in legal transactions and discussions about gun ownership on social media.
The case of News2A’s editor is just another example of the increasing encroachment of big tech companies on the freedom of speech and the free exchange of ideas. The fact that a simple search for “gun shop” on Facebook’s platform was met with multiple warnings and threats to restrict their account is deeply concerning. This incident serves as a reminder that we are living in a time of internet censorship. While we may not be able to change the policies of these private companies, it is important for journalists and citizens alike to remain vigilant and question the actions of those in power.
The world of social media, once touted as the great equalizer and a bastion of free speech, has become more of a heavy-handed tool for suppressing certain narratives and ideas. Facebook, the largest social media platform in the world, is notorious for working in collusion with the government and limiting the distribution of information that does not align with their own interests. While some people may argue that Facebook is a private company and can regulate their platform as they see fit, it is important to remember that they have a responsibility to their users to provide a fair and open platform for communication.
The incident with News2A’s editor is just another reminder that we need to be critical of what we consume on the internet and take a stand against censorship. While Facebook may see private gun sales as harmful and illegal, it is ultimately up to individuals to decide what discussions they want to have and what transactions they want to make.
The idea of restricting or disabling an account for a simple search is a troubling thought and highlights the potential abuse of power by these companies. We must continue to challenge and push back against the oppressive practices of these tech giants in order to preserve our right to free speech.