A group of journalists with large media followings who were censored and deleted from Youtube, are suing the parent company, Google, claiming government collusion and breach of contract. Their lawsuit contends that they were “unceremoniously ‘deplatformed’ by defendants Google and YouTube shortly after the House of Representatives passed a resolution urging Beg Tech to suppress the Internet users who discuss Qanon.”
Not all of the journalists in the lawsuit reported on Qanon, yet all have been publicly charged with this “crime”. The lawsuit challenges the Qanon narrative as being fabricated for political purposes and cites the suspicious timing only a few weeks before the 2020 election. Specifically the suit states:
- Google and Youtube argue that QAnon-related speech is wrong, bad, and dangerous. Yet the Chief of FBI testified before Congress that the FBI has not “seen lethal attacks including that kind of motivation and unequivocally stated that QAnon ‘ideology’ is not a subject of government investigation.
- Congressional disfavored speech reflects an alarming trend in favor of censorship and in opposition to the foundational freedoms of our republic.
The suit also points out the strong coercion by members of congress clearly threatening Googles section 230 protection if they do not follow their demands. The suit highlights Speaker Pelosi’s public statement regarding big tech’s 230 immunity:
It is a gift to them and I don’t think that they are treating it with the respect that they should, and so I think that that could be a question mark and in jeopardy…. I do think that for the privilege of 230, there has to be a bigger sense of responsibility on it. And it is not out of the question that that could be removed.
Pelosi wasn’t the only member of congress publicly coercing Google. The suit also highlights Representative Adam Schiff actions as well:
Representative Adam Schiff sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai demanding that Google/Youtube censor unpopular views about health issues and concluded that what he deemed ‘conspiracy theories’ violated Community Guidelines. He sent a similar letter to Mr. Pichai and Youtube CEO Susan Wojcick on April 29, 2020. The letters were published on official letterhead and signed by “Adam B. Schiff, Member of Congress” in his official capacity and as the Chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The letter was also published on his public Twitter account where he has 2.3 million followers.
Which makes this even more obvious, Youtube CEO Susan Wojcick, publicly replied on Twitter:
“Thanks for reaching out. @Youtube, we’re working every day to protect people from misinformation and help them find authoritative information. We appreciate your partnership and will continue to consult with and ask the advice of Members of Congress as we address the evolving issues around #COVID19”
Plaintiffs’ work addresses public concern that are highly relevant to the 2020 election and its aftermath, which is ongoing as legal battles over the integrity of the election continue to rage in various states. Their speech is quintessentially political and deserving of the highest level of protection. The suit also lists many other coercive actions on the part of congress. The Journalists contend that if “Youtube engaged in state action, then their First Amendment rights have been violated.” Further the claim states”
The case is currently filed in district court in the Northern District of California. The judge, Beth Labson Freeman, has been known to favor Google in past cases and will likely do what she can to help their cause again. Plaintiffs don’t expect their case to end at the district court and will continue this challenge hoping to reach the Supreme Court.
See full filing document below
We the People Against Google by Sarah Westall on Scribd
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