Michael Schellenberger

Rank 39 of 47
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Score -94
9/3/2025, 3:25:00 PM
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In reply to:
Michael Shellenberger
@shellenberger
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150d
14. Miss France's attorney demands censorship: "What would have happened if Twitter was around in 1942?  Would they have allowed Hitler to speak?"

The NGOs cited displeasure with how Twitter was handling alleged online harassment of Miss France. "Despite Plaintiffs' initial
Michael Shellenberger
@shellenberger
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150d
13. Macron Attempts to Circumvent French Law

The apparent coordination between the NGOs, the hate speech bill, and Macron’s attempt to contact Dorsey could easily be seen as attempts to circumvent the law. Under French law, the state is barred from imposing preemptive censorship
Michael Shellenberger
@shellenberger
·
150d
12. “Notably, the lawsuit was very strategically timed…”

On March 10, 2021, Colangelo wrote up a brief for Edgett to share with Dorsey on why they wanted the letter. “The lawsuit is one part of a larger effort in France to paint Twitter as a bad actor. Notably, the lawsuit was
Michael Shellenberger
@shellenberger
·
150d
11. “We should be cognisant of the precedent we are setting here which could trigger more asks of this nature into the future.”

Twitter also agreed to send a letter from CEO Jack Dorsey to the NGOs, promising stronger action in the future.

The “plaintiffs in the UEJF hate
Michael Shellenberger
@shellenberger
·
150d
10. “—we were planning to confidentially disclose some information sought by the NGOs to them in exchange for them dropping the suit”

The NGOs would not settle, despite Twitter’s efforts to cooperate. And so Twitter caved, offering to censor its platform — for all users — in
Michael Shellenberger
@shellenberger
·
150d
9. Macron Leads Censorship Effort

The year 2016 marked an inflection point in the state’s crackdown on online speech. Events like Brexit, Trump’s victory, the Arab Spring, and France’s Yellow Vest movement, organized via social media, convinced elites that “information

The statement discusses Twitter's moderation practices and their potential impact on public order, referencing legal actions in France. It highlights concerns about compliance with judicial orders and the broader implications for societal functioning.

  1. Principle 1:
    I will strive to do no harm with my words and actions.
    The statement raises concerns about potential harm caused by inadequate moderation, aligning with the principle of striving to do no harm. [+1]
  2. Principle 2:
    I will respect the privacy and dignity of others and will not engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or hate speech.
    It respects privacy and dignity by focusing on legal and societal issues rather than personal attacks. [+1]
  3. Principle 3:
    I will use my words and actions to promote understanding, empathy, and compassion.
    The statement promotes understanding by discussing the implications of moderation on public order. [+1]
  4. Principle 4:
    I will engage in constructive criticism and dialogue with those in disagreement and will not engage in personal attacks or ad hominem arguments.
    It engages in constructive criticism of Twitter's practices without resorting to personal attacks. [+1]
  5. Principle 6:
    I will use my influence for the betterment of society.
    The statement uses its platform to discuss societal betterment through responsible moderation. [+1]
  6. Principle 7:
    I will uphold the principles of free speech and use my platform responsibly and with integrity.
    It upholds free speech by discussing moderation in the context of legal and societal norms. [+1]