Names and faces
Major tech companies have begun barring right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from their services, reflecting a more aggressive enforcement of policies against hate speech after protests on social media. Facebook has taken down four pages belonging to Jones, including two featuring his Infowars show, for violating its hate speech and bullying policies. Over the past several days, both Apple and Spotify have also removed material published by Jones. Twitter has faced similar calls, but has so far taken no action against Jones, a radio host who runs the website Infowars.com. On Monday, Facebook said that it has also suspended Jones’ account for 30 days because he repeatedly violated the company’s community standards against hate speech that “attacks or dehumanizes others. Twitter did not immediately respond to a message for comment Monday. YouTube said in a statement that when users violate its policies against hate speech and harassment, “we terminate their accounts.” But the company did not give specifics on Jones or Infowars. It’s unclear why the companies are cracking down on Jones now, after allowing him to publish for years. Facebook has been under fire recently for not banning Jones, but as recently as July 12 it tweeted that it sees pages “on both the left and right pumping out what they consider opinion or analysis — but others call fake news.” Among his claims, Jones has said that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting, which left 20 children and six adults dead, was a hoax. He was sued for defamation by some of the victims’ families and he now acknowledges that the shooting occurred but says his claims were free speech.
Former first lady Michelle Obama is marking the 53rd anniversary of the Voting Rights Act by urging Americans to participate in a week of action to get people signed up to vote. Obama, a co-chairman of a nonpartisan organization to encourage voting, announced Monday that the When We All Vote Week of Action will be held Sept. 22-29. She said members of When We All Vote will be traveling the country to register voters and get them excited about the November midterm elections, when Democrats hope to take control of Congress from the Republicans. “With so much at stake in our country, sitting on the sidelines isn’t an option,” Obama said in an email to supporters. Flagship events will be held in at least 12 cities, including Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and New York and volunteers are expected to host events in other communities as well. Other co-chairmen of the group include actor Tom Hanks; Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda; singers Janelle Monae, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw; and NBA point guard Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets.