Facebook, Google, Twitter, et al. are private companies but, like all businesses, they are subject to potential regulation against misconduct and abusive practices. Arguably, due to their importance, overwhelming market power, and near monopoly status, they may even deserve to be treated as banks, railroads, or utilities and made subject to routine oversight by a primary regulator. In contrast, as a professional sports business dependent on consumer sentiment, the NFL is subject to criticism and backlash. Conservatives are fully justified in bashing the NFL’s miscreant kneeling players and in trying to find redress against the various forms of tyranny now being brewed up by Silicon Valley’s goliaths. There is no contradiction in doing both.
“Arguably, due to their importance, overwhelming market power, and near monopoly status, they may even deserve to be treated as banks, railroads, or utilities and made subject to routine oversight by a primary regulator.”
It brings up something interesting. Going back to the old days, before internet, what would have been the reaction if AT&T simply disconnected the phone lines of JFK and all other Democrats, because they didn’t like their politics?
Scary thought...but this is the equivalent.