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Did you see this message? Facebook is back in the news because the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 48 state attorneys general are suing them for allegedly crushing competitors and trying to monopolize the technology industry. The FTC is calling for Instagram and WhatsApp to be split off from Facebook.
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For too long, Facebook has sought to dominate social media, digital advertising, and digital messaging – all while undermining democracy, empowering right-wing extremists, and turning a blind eye to lies and propaganda.
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With this case, we have a chance to finally turn the tide. The idea of breaking up Big Tech companies like Facebook is gaining momentum, and this case could set a precedent for taking on other digital monopolies in the future.
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However, until Big Tech firms are broken up, we’ll have to continue living with them – and living with the outsized influence they have on our democracy. That’s why we need to keep the pressure on them to stop the spread of egregious election lies – but your name is missing from our petition. Please, add your name to help us get 5,000 more signatures on our petition demanding that Facebook and Twitter stop spreading election lies:
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----- Forwarded message -----
From: Civic Action
Date: Sun, Nov 29, 2020
Subject: Trump’s election lies
To: [email protected]
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We’re not going to say we told you so, but the 2020 elections have proven beyond a shred of doubt that Donald Trump and his enablers have masterfully exploited social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter. Mark Zuckerberg seems like he can’t say “but both sides” quickly enough, and refuses to do anything – even while Trump erodes democratic norms.
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Facebook’s refusal to take action has empowered Trump and his ilk to spread lies of a rigged and stolen election – and has allowed Trump to claim, unchallenged, that he won the election – even though it’s very clear he did not. Twitter’s not much better, but it has at least pushed back a bit. The refusal by these companies to meaningfully reform isn’t a lack of foresight, however. It’s by design.
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For years, Facebook and Twitter have received millions upon millions in political advertising revenue – helping tech billionaires and political consultants cushion their bottom line. And at Facebook, ex-Republican insiders joined the social media giant’s influence machine and have inhibited any action that would hurt Republicans or right-wing provocateurs.
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The inaction and lack of accountability of social media is leading us directly into a constitutional crisis that extends beyond grandmas embracing QAnon and other outlandish conspiracy theories. Social media is breaking democracy. So what can we do?
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Big Tech needs to be reined in and social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter must gain control of rampant misinformation. At a minimum, social media outlets need to be held accountable for the lies and misinformation that radicalizes individuals and undermines our democracy. And Big Tech must finally be regulated.
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But for now, we urgently need action that prevents Facebook and Twitter from enabling Trump’s dangerous lies and fever dreams. That’s why we need 10,000 grassroots supporters to sign our petition before midnight and demand Facebook and Twitter stop spreading election lies, so add your name now:
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