> The sinister part is that plenty of people, left and right, will defend Google's ability to do this merely because they are "a private company".
People didn't merely defend Google to gatekeep information, they demanded it. A decade ago, Youtube, along with other social media companies, was happy to be pro-free speech. It's not like they have any reason to cut engagement and ad revenue. However, they after two adpocapyses and even the President demanding that they censor more misinformation, they have been pushed into the position of the gatekeeper of the internet. Given that they aren't paid for this position, they will obviously choose most cost effective-route possible, hence why they censor whatever they think will be controversial.
There was a time when Google was happy to stay out of politics and culture wars. The had few lobbyists and donated little. They were happy building a private surveillance apparatus. But the government, mostly democrats came calling and demanded action against whatever the hysteria de jour was. It was never about policing the internet. It was always about sucking funds out of Google. Then brainwashed graduates took positions at Google and here we are. The perfect mechanism for propaganda and thought control
People didn't merely defend Google to gatekeep information, they demanded it. A decade ago, Youtube, along with other social media companies, was happy to be pro-free speech. It's not like they have any reason to cut engagement and ad revenue. However, they after two adpocapyses and even the President demanding that they censor more misinformation, they have been pushed into the position of the gatekeeper of the internet. Given that they aren't paid for this position, they will obviously choose most cost effective-route possible, hence why they censor whatever they think will be controversial.