Internet companies shouldn’t try censorship

PayPal blocked an account set up by Russian activists seeking to collect funds for the publication of a report on Russia’s involvement in eastern Ukraine. The US online payment company explained that it didn’t “provide the option of using its system to receive donations to political parties or causes in Russia”. It’s just the latest example of an Internet firm cast in a role for which it is ill-equipped.

Companies such as Google, Twitter, Facebook and even PayPal are ruling on matters of free speech. The decisions are made by business executives, who are essentially performing the function of editors in traditional media. But their organizations aren’t professional media:
Read More