Tech Sector and Censorship: A Closer Look at Regulation and Content Restrictions in the Digital World

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, one question that continues to spark debate is the distinction between tech companies and media firms. This question has taken centre stage, particularly with the case of Google, a company that claims not to be a media company, yet generates substantial revenue from advertising placed alongside published content.

Under U.S. law, platforms that only host content have certain legal protections. However, the financial benefits of this advertising revenue is a pressure that tech companies often do not discuss publicly. This realization has implications for investing, regulatory interactions, and other aspects of Google and the tech sector.

Google, once guided by the internal motto "Don't be evil," has since evolved, with its parent company, Alphabet, adopting the motto "Do the right thing." Yet, the company finds itself in a challenging position, balancing the utopian principles of free speech, as the internet was founded upon, with its role as a business that uses technology to publish and obtain information.

This balancing act is evident in Google's internal presentation, "The Good Censor," which discusses the company's struggles with moderating content and protecting against negative aspects of free speech. The presentation mentions concerns such as violent threats, fake news, bots, trolling, propaganda, and election interference.

One of the most controversial projects that Google has undertaken in this regard is the Dragonfly initiative, a search engine for China that censors results. This project has caused employee resignations, criticism, and a reported crackdown on employees who leaked information about the venture.

The distinction between tech companies and media companies has been a topic of debate. If tech companies were classified as publishers, their stock value could potentially decrease due to lower investor support. Consequently, the less tech companies speak about their resemblance to media companies, the more likely their valuations will remain high.

The power that some of these businesses hold provides rich grounds for future stories. The dichotomy between tech companies and media companies, and the power some of these businesses have, should continue to be a topic of discussion and introspection. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial to navigate these complexities with transparency and responsibility.