Uganda bans Twitter, what are your thoughts?

[Aethereal]

That line from twitter is ironic considering they recently banned Trump, thus violating the principles of basic human rights and open internet. It blows my mind every time how hypocrites can't see their own b******t when it's so clear. I don't much like Trump but Twitter (and facebook) crossed a huge line by taking it upon themselves to ban somebody they don't like (since there are tons of people on there spewing hate speech and making death threats without getting banned).

Their credibility is damaged in my eyes. Their actions are an indirect defense of censorship of media by governments. It makes sense now that a country would seek to limit social media considering how it's owners now believe they have the right to interfere in politics.

[NYCQuestions1976]

I'm always against censorship, period. However, that doesn't preclude me from finding the irony both interesting and funny. More importantly, if Twitter is banned in Uganda, how will they be able to read this? It's from Wednesday, 5/17/2021. Notice there's no disclaimer or warning:

Dancing Nancy must have brain freeze from all of that designer ice cream.

You reap what you sow. Oh well whatever. Apparently, it is what it is.

[Newhead]

Maybe they don't want it to influence the elections but if they keep it shut down forever then damn them this is an outrage. Let's go over there and fix it, are you ready Trash? Together we can save the world.

[lovelyhoneybones]

I don't live in Uganda so I don't care. Rip to their people though.

[Madhatter920]

I assume you're trying to compare the shut down of free speech to the shutdown of conspiracy, misinformation, and terrorist plots that would be found on Parler, which are not protected by free speech. That's a false equivalency argument, if that is what you were intending to make.

[kingofthellamas]

So many of the former colonies are in a bad shape since the British left. Take a look at what's happend to Hong Kong since the brits returned it to China. Uganda is another good example. Uganda would be so much better today if they had kept British rule. Sure, the British were a foreign ruler - but by the standards of the day they were much better than the Dutch, Spanish or French. I'm tempted to say similar for the USA too, but I think we can forgive a few growing pains from such a young nation.

[WindAtMyBack]

They are smart. The rest of the world should follow suit.

Social media is so extremely destructive. Shutting it down would only be a start since there are other things that should be done, but a start is a start.

[bolverk]

More power to Uganda they know that Twitter is being used to influence elections in their country don't blame them from banning it, funny how Twitter is only interested in #openinternet when it is its service that's being effected. Maybe more countries should do the same!

[cnhinton]

I think it's too much.

But I do think we should force tech companies to ban fake news and filter bubbles.

And we should bring back the fairness doctrine.

There's so much contradictory info and the government should honestly step in (I know this sounds Orwellian) to force news companies to be neutral and objective.

This division is getting bad and it threatens societal cohesion and stability.

[NamerOfStars]

Well, my first thought is that Uganda is clearly a more level-headed and sensible place than I'd given it credit for- but then I wonder WHY they're doing this. That could change quite a bit.

[MCheetah]

How is Uganda less corrupt than America right now? Also, Twitter/Reddit (they're the same people) are some of the worst internet users out there. Good for Uganda.

[Floppy2112]

I don't blame them. Outside influences in a country's election is a bad thing. They know twitter is poisonous to their democracy. We should be so smart.

[crmoore]

Whether the person deserved it or not, if Twitter holds the right to ban a Ugandan person's speech (it was directly before or during the election, right?), why shouldn't Uganda have the right to ban Twitter from operating there?

[Lynx122]

How is twitter saying the open internet is important when they do censorship themselves?

[OddBeMe]

Yeah, that’s the sign of authoritarian govt. Twitter banning a politician? Sign that person is authoritarian.

[Gravit1]

That's funny, so when they suppress our President and the Truth during our Elections it's Justice, but when another country suppresses them it's injustice.

[SuccessfulHornDog]

I don't know anything about the country in this regard. I am curious to know why they are doing it. What the official reason is vs what the real reason might be (if they are different)

[genericname85]

yeah i agree with that. those platform are creating their own manipulative and distorted reality that i think is pretty bad.

[kkirk4442]

I have no problem with twitter banning anyone who foments violence.

[JackSmy]

Glad I don't live in that shithole!!
But the same can happen here, in the US. . .

[AMonthOfAugust]

People have the rights to be able to express their opinions anywhere... even places like twitter... I guess

[EssenceOfLight]

Twitter has the right to block everyone but no one has right to block twitter. Isn't this behavior hypocritical?

[Wise4myage]

Good. Fuck Twitter, I wish more countries did the same.

[andreasderjuengere]

I take that as a joke.
But I get what it tries to say.