Recently, Facebook and other social media outlets have banned hate groups from posting on their platforms. Some people argue that this is a violation of the right to free speech.

Question

Free Speech and the Internet

Recently, Facebook and other social media outlets have banned hate groups from posting on their platforms. Some people argue that this is a violation of the right to free speech. Should you have the right to speak freely? Even if this speech is hateful? Does Facebook or social media platforms have the right to ban this type of speech? Is it a violation of free speech in the first place?

Answer 1

Consider the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States...

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Even if we consider a social media platform as being governed by the laws of the United States (since it's owner may be a U.S. entity) as the Internet is often considered a global entity, it is not bound by this amendment. It states that Congress and by extension the government of the United States may not abridge the freedom of speech. Companies and organizations are not bound to honor "freedom of speech" to allow hateful, harmful, and/or malicious speech on their platforms. Just as an individual has the right to remove (or request the removal of) a person from their property for making similar comments. "Freedom of speech" does not grant immunity from the consequences of exercising one's right to speak. For instance, one may be terminated from employment for making hateful, harmful, and/or malicious comments in the workplace.