Eventually I'll test my thesis that says, "The bigger the product launch, the more social media users get banged in the tanty." (Pardon my French.) In the meantime, let's see how much ill was done by whom to people like you.
Facebook account removals criticized. Jillian York wrote an extensive examination of Facebook users around the world who have had their accounts closed out. "Facebook has not spoken publicly about how this process works, but my suspicion is that when a number of users report the same user, their profile is automatically disabled." If this is true, it's disturbing. Because it's mob rule.
Britain's Labour Party removes candidate for Twitter account. Gordon Brown, UK prime minister, and head of the Labour Party, "fired" a Labour candidate. The candidate, Stuart MacLennan, apparently directed profane comments toward ethnic minorities, women and the elderly. His account seems to have been deleted. He seems to be a tool.
Microsoft had a role in media repression that led up to the Kyrgyzstan coup. According to author Jeffrey Carr, writing in Forbes, "Microsoft's Kyrgyzstan agent assisted the Kyrgyz authorities in cracking down on dissenting media five days before last week's uprising." Carr publishes a timeline of online repression prior to the overthrow of Kyrgyz president Bakiev. A Microsoft representative showed up with state authorities to the offices of an internet TV station with the charge that the station used pirated Microsoft products. The authorities shut the station down. This is a strategy that repressive governments use with some regularity.
UK candidate makes "digital pledge." In response to the passing of the Digital Economy Bill in the UK, candidate Tom Watson issued a set of pledges to maintain access to online information and defend user rights.
South Korea institutes gaming curfew. Gizmodo reports South Korea "is disabling internet connections for six hours per night for underage gamers.The ban won't affect most internet uses, just a blacklist of 19 specific games."
Thai government blocks thousands of websites. Building on last week's crackdown, Thailand goes from 36 blocked websites to somewhere between 9,000 10,000. Global Voices says in their headline that they have begun locking up webmasters, but do not elaborate or source the statement.
Top photo by Cdogstar
Bottom photo by Karen Blumberg
