Comments on: EFF: "What Does Twitter’s Country-by-Country Takedown System Mean for Freedom of Expression?" http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 10:21:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: William Carleton http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1332454 William Carleton Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1332454 Agree. The reporting on this largely takes the need for offices at face value. At the very least, the assumption that Twitter needs offices in various places suggests that Twitter is a corporate identity, and not the sum of the activity of its users.  Agree. The reporting on this largely takes the need for offices at face value. At the very least, the assumption that Twitter needs offices in various places suggests that Twitter is a corporate identity, and not the sum of the activity of its users. 

]]> By: OoerictoO http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1332337 OoerictoO Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1332337 you aren't paying attention, are you? you aren’t paying attention, are you?

]]> By: OoerictoO http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1332335 OoerictoO Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1332335 solid alternative to facebook, despite the "where is everyone?" factor.  different medium/paradigm altogether from twitter, et al solid alternative to facebook, despite the “where is everyone?” factor.  different medium/paradigm altogether from twitter, et al

]]> By: OoerictoO http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1332332 OoerictoO Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1332332 most developed nations have the panic inducing exception while retaining freedom of speech.  even the US most developed nations have the panic inducing exception while retaining freedom of speech.  even the US

]]> By: OoerictoO http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1332330 OoerictoO Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1332330 $145M revenue in 2011.  Promoted Tweets, Promoted Trends and Promoted Accounts.  they are valued at several $Billion.  so the only part you are mostly right in is the "figure it out later" part.  oh and the VC part.  $145M revenue in 2011.  Promoted Tweets, Promoted Trends and Promoted Accounts.  they are valued at several $Billion.  so the only part you are mostly right in is the “figure it out later” part.  oh and the VC part. 

]]> By: OoerictoO http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1332326 OoerictoO Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1332326 any suggestions (from anyone) on alternatives?  possibly those hosted in countries more liberal than the US on freedom of the press/speech? any suggestions (from anyone) on alternatives?  possibly those hosted in countries more liberal than the US on freedom of the press/speech?

]]> By: OoerictoO http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1332325 OoerictoO Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1332325 repeat question from @robdobbs repeat question from @robdobbs

]]> By: John Harrison http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1332081 John Harrison Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1332081 Investigate closely how this works. If you should have received a tweet that has been censored you are informed of this. Then you are asked if twitter has classified your country correctly. You can given the opportunity to "correct" twitter's notion of what country you are in. Switch countries and suddenly the tweet appears. Investigate closely how this works. If you should have received a tweet that has been censored you are informed of this. Then you are asked if twitter has classified your country correctly. You can given the opportunity to “correct” twitter’s notion of what country you are in. Switch countries and suddenly the tweet appears.

]]> By: petsounds http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331855 petsounds Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331855  I don't believe they DO make much money, other than some private deals with companies for data mining access. Hence the investments from people like the Saudi prince. They're a typical 1990s-style dotcom which had no real business model except for, "let's make this thing and figure it out later. and get a lot of VC. and hookers. with cocaine."  I don’t believe they DO make much money, other than some private deals with companies for data mining access. Hence the investments from people like the Saudi prince. They’re a typical 1990s-style dotcom which had no real business model except for, “let’s make this thing and figure it out later. and get a lot of VC. and hookers. with cocaine.”

]]> By: miasm http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331703 miasm Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331703 couldn't friends or followers from outside the country just re-tweet the disabled message? Some kind of #censoredbytwitter tag could be used? IANAT (tweeter) couldn’t friends or followers from outside the country just re-tweet the disabled message?
Some kind of #censoredbytwitter tag could be used?
IANAT (tweeter)

]]> By: nmw1 http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331665 nmw1 Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331665 Do you think that it might have something to do with a Saudi prince investing 230 million dollars in Twitter??? http://www.elpais.com/articulo/economia/principe/saudi/invierte/230/millones/Twitter/elpepueco/20111219elpepueco_3/Tes Just read this in the paper today, I'm sure (...or not?) you can find it in some English-language media as well though. Do you think that it might have something to do with a Saudi prince investing 230 million dollars in Twitter???

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/economia/principe/saudi/invierte/230/millones/Twitter/elpepueco/20111219elpepueco_3/Tes

Just read this in the paper today, I’m sure (…or not?) you can find it in some English-language media as well though.

]]> By: James Penrose http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331645 James Penrose Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331645 It is sad to see corporations cave in when they have a massive opportunity to shaft repressive regimes in the fork: Can you imagine if RIM said to a country that demanded the right to read all the email traffic of users in its country if RIM had said "No.  IN fact, we will simply not provide service to your country effective tomorrow."  Or if Twitter did the same thing? Shut down say, Saudi Arabia's entire Blackberry network or turn off Turkey's entire ability to Twitter and do everything possible to let it citizens know *why* it happened and just sit back and watch the fun. Many corporations are big and powerful enough that they cold take on entire countries and win an economic war.  Think of the force for genuine freedom that could become.   I know.  Lots of luck. It is sad to see corporations cave in when they have a massive opportunity to shaft repressive regimes in the fork:

Can you imagine if RIM said to a country that demanded the right to read all the email traffic of users in its country if RIM had said “No.  IN fact, we will simply not provide service to your country effective tomorrow.”  Or if Twitter did the same thing?

Shut down say, Saudi Arabia’s entire Blackberry network or turn off Turkey’s entire ability to Twitter and do everything possible to let it citizens know *why* it happened and just sit back and watch the fun.

Many corporations are big and powerful enough that they cold take on entire countries and win an economic war.  Think of the force for genuine freedom that could become.   I know.  Lots of luck.

]]> By: someguyyouvenevermet http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331505 someguyyouvenevermet Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331505 Developments in the way we communicate have increasingly been locked into specific companies in a way they have not in the past. You can choose a range of phone companies and communicate with anyone who has a phone regardless of the company providing their phone service same goes for email. But new communications technologies like Twitter do not work like this. That's what makes this kind of thing a problem. You can't just switch provider you have to stop communicating in that particular way. As these forms of communication become more a part of our daily lives this is very problematic. Developments in the way we communicate have increasingly been locked into specific companies in a way they have not in the past. You can choose a range of phone companies and communicate with anyone who has a phone regardless of the company providing their phone service same goes for email.

But new communications technologies like Twitter do not work like this. That’s what makes this kind of thing a problem. You can’t just switch provider you have to stop communicating in that particular way. As these forms of communication become more a part of our daily lives this is very problematic.

]]> By: penguinchris http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331448 penguinchris Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331448  Probably mostly marketing and sales - businesses pay to have a big presence on twitter.  Probably mostly marketing and sales – businesses pay to have a big presence on twitter.

]]> By: Matt Moylan http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331411 Matt Moylan Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331411 It's just twitter, it doesn't matter. Let them do whatever they want. It’s just twitter, it doesn’t matter. Let them do whatever they want.

]]> By: Adam S. http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331390 Adam S. Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331390 Diaspora is a very good open source facebook-ish option. Diaspora is a very good open source facebook-ish option.

]]> By: Adam S. http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331389 Adam S. Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331389 There is an solid open source twitter clone option called identi.ca from the people at status.net. I hope people will start moving. Twitter has been deleting all the protest related tweets out of the #rankings in the USA going back to the #FuckYouWashington and #occupywallstreet. We should have left then, but this is what makes people leave, that works too. There is an solid open source twitter clone option called identi.ca from the people at status.net.
I hope people will start moving. Twitter has been deleting all the protest related tweets out of the #rankings in the USA going back to the #FuckYouWashington and #occupywallstreet.

We should have left then, but this is what makes people leave, that works too.

]]> By: Brian David S http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331355 Brian David S Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331355 "Usually, terrible things that are done with the excuse that progress requires them are not really progress at all, but just terrible things. " - Russell Baker “Usually, terrible things that are done with the excuse that progress requires them are not really progress at all, but just terrible things. ” – Russell Baker

]]> By: terminationshok http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331343 terminationshok Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331343 Check out diaspora, the distributed social network. You can make your own social networking "pods" so you can control your own information. There is no centralized infrastructure where you can be censored. Check out diaspora, the distributed social network. You can make your own social networking “pods” so you can control your own information. There is no centralized infrastructure where you can be censored.

]]> By: Finnagain http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331339 Finnagain Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331339 Why is there no Anonymous isp yet? Is it really impossible to do a search engine, social media and instant messaging without being evil? Why is there no Anonymous isp yet? Is it really impossible to do a search engine, social media and instant messaging without being evil?

]]> By: benher http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331302 benher Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331302 ...potential for future tax evasion? …potential for future tax evasion?

]]> By: Wesley Henderson http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331290 Wesley Henderson Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331290 I see this as a good compromise. Now, if a government complains, the tweet in question can be censored for only a certain IP block. If users want to still view censored tweets, they need only use a spoofed IP from an unblocked country or a proxy. Tada, they can now see tweets censored by their government. Much better than having to remove the tweet for everyone. Of course, with this arrangement, the particular government can probably track those who use spoofed IPs or proxies. That, however, is strictly an issue with that government, and nothing to do with Twitter. I see this as a good compromise. Now, if a government complains, the tweet in question can be censored for only a certain IP block. If users want to still view censored tweets, they need only use a spoofed IP from an unblocked country or a proxy. Tada, they can now see tweets censored by their government. Much better than having to remove the tweet for everyone.

Of course, with this arrangement, the particular government can probably track those who use spoofed IPs or proxies. That, however, is strictly an issue with that government, and nothing to do with Twitter.

]]> By: hubris sonic http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331270 hubris sonic Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331270 Problem here is that in Japan there is no freedom of speech guaranteed by the constitution. So legally the government can censor any forms of communication, including messages passing its borders even electronically. In fact there is a new law specifically to outlaw fear mongering in light of recent events at Fukushima. To be fair to the government, there were quite a few apocaholics who got everyone pretty close to wholesale panic which would  have resulted in many more lives lost than would have been possible in a radiation bloom. Now, it's true that twitter.com (us) doesnt have to comply with jp government requests but.. Problem here is that in Japan there is no freedom of speech guaranteed by the constitution. So legally the government can censor any forms of communication, including messages passing its borders even electronically. In fact there is a new law specifically to outlaw fear mongering in light of recent events at Fukushima. To be fair to the government, there were quite a few apocaholics who got everyone pretty close to wholesale panic which would  have resulted in many more lives lost than would have been possible in a radiation bloom. Now, it’s true that twitter.com (us) doesnt have to comply with jp government requests but..

]]> By: ComradeQuestions http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331269 ComradeQuestions Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331269 Presumably the profit of opening these offices must outweigh the cost of implementing these new filtering policies.  But considering I have no idea how Twitter even makes money in the first place, I'm not sure how this works out. Presumably the profit of opening these offices must outweigh the cost of implementing these new filtering policies.  But considering I have no idea how Twitter even makes money in the first place, I’m not sure how this works out.

]]> By: Mitch_M http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331240 Mitch_M Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331240 I'm curious about the logistics of how censorship would work. Would someone in the Ankara office personally read all tweets to check for ones defamatory to Ataturk or would they try to use an algorithm to automate the process? Would they account for forbidden tweets being published in non-English and non-Turkish languages? Could I say "Ataturk was a bunghole" in Swahili and have it get through or would it be changed to "ttrk ws bnghl"? I’m curious about the logistics of how censorship would work. Would someone in the Ankara office personally read all tweets to check for ones defamatory to Ataturk or would they try to use an algorithm to automate the process? Would they account for forbidden tweets being published in non-English and non-Turkish languages? Could I say “Ataturk was a bunghole” in Swahili and have it get through or would it be changed to “ttrk ws bnghl”?

]]> By: Work_Watch_Buy_Repeat http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331219 Work_Watch_Buy_Repeat Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331219 On the positive side, this means when the US demands that Twitter censor content, the rest of the world will still be able to see it. On the positive side, this means when the US demands that Twitter censor content, the rest of the world will still be able to see it.

]]> By: Pawel Loj http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331197 Pawel Loj Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331197 I love EFF, gave them $100 this year, asked for a shirt and they did not send it... I'm sad!  I love EFF, gave them $100 this year, asked for a shirt and they did not send it… I’m sad! 

]]> By: petsounds http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331135 petsounds Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331135 I don't see why Twitter needs offices in any place except their headquarters. They aren't selling physical goods. I'm sure they have some reasons -- marketing, et al -- but then they must consider the protection of free expression rather lower on the list. Not that the USA is exactly a bastion of free expression these days, but we still do a pretty good job of letting people say crazy shit. I don’t see why Twitter needs offices in any place except their headquarters. They aren’t selling physical goods. I’m sure they have some reasons — marketing, et al — but then they must consider the protection of free expression rather lower on the list. Not that the USA is exactly a bastion of free expression these days, but we still do a pretty good job of letting people say crazy shit.

]]> By: Suzanne Cannon Rumsey http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331131 Suzanne Cannon Rumsey Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331131 If you can't count on Twitter getting your messages out, especially when you may need it most, then what is the point of Twitter?  Delete your accounts, power to the people! If you can’t count on Twitter getting your messages out, especially when you may need it most, then what is the point of Twitter?  Delete your accounts, power to the people!

]]> By: robdobbs http://boingboing.net/2012/01/27/eff-what-does-twitters-c.html#comment-1331126 robdobbs Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=141083#comment-1331126 So, why does Twitter need offices anyplace? So, why does Twitter need offices anyplace?

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