Facebook and Censorship

I saw this story Facebook Censors Navy SEALS to Protect Obama on Benghazi Gate on one of the news pages I read.  The original posting was made a political action committee called Special Operations Speaks and was up for about 24 hours when Facebook removed it for violation of Facebook’s Statement or Rights and Responsibilities.  I know many of the senior members of the PAC

I would expect someone might believe Facebook’s action was unconstitutional.  It was not, the first amendment prohibits the Government from abridging our right to worship and free expression.  It does not address a private enterprises right to, in fact, the expectation is that media will censor content that is presented.  This will become more prevalent as the Internet grows and is placed under increasing government regulation.

What I did find interesting is how the censors at Facebook central could take this action, that while political, the meme, is not threatening or in other ways any more inflammatory than what other political action groups have posted.  But whoever is in control of censorship central has this clear rule to hide behind.  Rule 5.  “Protecting Other Peoples Rights,” sub-rule 2.  “We can remove any content or information you post on Facebook if we believe that it violates this Statement or our policies.”

So the important lesson to take away is some faceless gnome at Facebook can remove anything you post, anytime they like.