I have a quick question regarding freedom of speech online.
I follow the official White House Youtube channel, I have been doing so for years (Under Obama, Trump, now Biden).
Recently the comments have been turned off in most videos.
Sometimes they are turned on for a few minutes when they post a new video, then all the comments are deleted and the option to leave comments is turned off once again.
Is that considered a violation of free speech?
I know there is no expectation of free speech online when a website is ran by private individual.
Like here on INGO where mods can delete posts without violating people's first amendment rights.
Is it any different when the government is in charge?
Is it not a first amendment issue with Youtube because it's a third party website used by the US government?
It's clearly censorship (especially when they delete comments they don't like) in my opinion but is it legal?
I follow the official White House Youtube channel, I have been doing so for years (Under Obama, Trump, now Biden).
Recently the comments have been turned off in most videos.
Sometimes they are turned on for a few minutes when they post a new video, then all the comments are deleted and the option to leave comments is turned off once again.
Is that considered a violation of free speech?
I know there is no expectation of free speech online when a website is ran by private individual.
Like here on INGO where mods can delete posts without violating people's first amendment rights.
Is it any different when the government is in charge?
Is it not a first amendment issue with Youtube because it's a third party website used by the US government?
It's clearly censorship (especially when they delete comments they don't like) in my opinion but is it legal?