On 6 January 2021, the US Capitol was stormed. It was subsequently determined that some of the perpetrators of this act, which resulted in loss of life, used the social media platform Parler to coordinate the attack. Shortly thereafter, a number of platform providers, including Amazon, Apple and Google, removed the Parler app from their sites.
The argument for the removal of Parler from these platforms is that it is within the rights of these corporate providers to regulate speech in their platforms, especially when it can incite violence or cause harm. When the dust settles in this highly interconnected world of varying moral standards, this creates a new dilemma. Different countries have different standards with respect to acceptable speech. This can become quite tricky in this global world where some countries might have different definitions of prohibited speech (lese majeste, certain religious and gender-aligned speech, etc.). There are also different processes and procedures in which prohibited speech can be taken down (subpoena, special courts, administrative requests, law enforcement activity, etc.). There does not seem to be a global consensus on what is acceptable, thus making it difficult for creators and operators of these platforms. In addition, there is the question: should these platforms retain the power to define the rules themselves?
The Parler case is one example. But, what if the next case is even more controversial? Creators of internet platforms and applications must consider this landscape to ensure they stay compliant amidst this hodgepodge of regulations.
As you consider building truly global and digital platforms, it is critical to consider the varying standards of censorship and privacy in different markets. Creating an internet platform means you are creating a global platform, which is subject to many and different rules and regulations.
Platform owners can take action to better navigate this increasingly complex world, including to:
- Ensure proper audit and logging systems are in place.
- Ready necessary systems by having the proper capabilities to enforce compliance, such as the recording and retaining of necessary transactions.
- Enable frontline workers to handle these regulatory requests.
- Be responsive, drill and practice.
- Know the regulatory and legal requirements.
Compliance is important, as platform owners run the risk of running afoul of governments or organizations in areas in which they operate. Do you want to be next?
Editor’s note: For further insights on this topic, read William Yu’s recent Journal article, “Varying Standards of Censorship and Privacy in an Interconnected World,” ISACA Journal, volume 2, 2021.
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