With Brazil’s ban on Elon Musk’s X, who will defend free speech?
Free expression has become a culture war, yet advocates for it remain quiet. In Brazil, judges have limited access to the popular social network X. In France, prosecutors are blocking the head of Telegram from departing as they investigate the platform. In Britain, social media users risk prison sentences for posts made during recent riots. In America, there are moves to ban TikTok, a widely-used Chinese-owned app. Debates over free speech are escalating as governments impose stricter controls on online expression. As governments tighten their grip on online expression, debates over free speech grow more contentious. Some measures may be justified; however, others appear aimed at suppressing and punishing lawful voices.
