PayPal backtracks and will no longer fine users who spread "misinformation"

Users rebelled against the payment platform's censorship, which claims that it was all a mistake.

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9 de octubre, 2022

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PayPal decided to change its policy intended to fine users who spread "misinformation." The payment solutions platform threatened to fine users up to $2,500 for spreading content that does not conform to the company's policy.

The Daily Wire reported that the company was preparing a new Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), effective November 3, to include penalties for users who promote what PayPal considers "misinformation" or "risks" to the well-being of other users. The usage policy sparked criticism from users on social media and even got a reaction out of the former CEO of PayPal David Marcus as well as the support from tech magnate Elon Musk.

I find it difficult to openly criticize a company I loved and gave so much to. But PayPal goes against everything I believe in. A private company can now decide to take your money if you say something they don't agree with. It's crazy.

In light of these reactions, which included important users withdrawing money from the platform, PayPal decided to backtrack and cancel this policy, assuring that it was all a mistake.

I just withdrew all the money I had in my PayPal account. And I must suggest you do the same. This is serious. They are delaying the "pending review" transfer for 12 hours. But at least it's done.

In a statement reported by National Review, a PayPal spokesperson said, "an AUP notice recently went out in error that included incorrect information. PayPal is not fining people for misinformation and this language was never intended to be inserted in our policy. Our teams are working to correct our policy pages. We’re sorry for the confusion this has caused."

However, The Daily Wire revealed that changes to PayPal's new policy included a ban on "the sending, posting of any message, content or material" that "promotes disinformation." While the previous policy already prohibited "hatred," "bigotry" and "discrimination," the new policy would explicitly apply to specific "protected groups" and "individuals or groups based on protected characteristics." Identities under this umbrella included race, religion, gender or gender identity and sexual orientation.

Censorship at PayPal and Big Tech

The financial services platform is backtracking after the uproar caused by the news of its intentions. However, this is not the first time that PayPal has performed this type of act of censorship. A few weeks ago, it blocked Toby Young and his websites Free Speech Union, an organization that fights against censorship, and The Daily Sceptic, a meeting point for ideas opposed to the restrictions imposed during the pandemic.

Similarly to Paypal, major technology platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Amazon have already engaged in acts of censorship against conservative speech. The networks removed thousands of posts on controversial social issues, such as transsexuality, race theory, compulsory vaccination or abortion.

One of the best known examples is the GoFundMe case, which froze several millions of dollars raised from the trucker protests in Canada earlier this year. Other well know cases include when Google was accused of concealing Republican Party fundraising emails or when YouTube censored conservative speech such as that of the Italian politician Giorgia Meloni.