The first amendment and the internet’s free speech clash

For Silicon Valley, 2018 was defined by one impossible question: should there be limits to free speech on the internet? The first amendment is hardwired into the (American) CEOs of the big three social media sites: Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. Each platform grew its user-base with a “words can never hurt me” attitude. Back in 2012, Twitter defined itself as the “free speech wing of the free speech party”; Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has defended his users’ right to be wrong – even for Holocaust deniers. For years, social media platforms allowed posts that could arguably inspire real-life violence in the US, Germany and in Myanmar. But now things are changing. It is only recently, after a series of scandals, that these sites are expanding their army of content moderators to decide when the phrase “Free Kashmir” prohibits Indian law, for example, or when the vomit emoji is used to incite hatred against Muslims.