Google followed the lead of web hosting provider GoDaddy by suspending domain services to a far right website which published an article criticising a woman who died during protests in the US this weekend.
Earlier on Monday, GoDaddy said the article violated its terms and conditions and has told the Daily Stormer, the self-proclaimed ‘World’s Most Genocidal Republican Website’ to find a new provider within 24 hours.
Heather Hayer was killed when a car drove into a group of counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, where white supremacists were also demonstrating. Nineteen other people were injured and James Alex Fields has since been charged with second degree murder.
An article on The Daily Stormer criticised Hayer and made a series of disparaging remarks. The site claimed it had been hacked by Anonymous, but the group said there is no evidence to suggest any of its members did such a thing.
“We informed the Daily Stormer that they have 24 hours to move the domain to another provider, as they have violated our terms of service,” GoDaddy said on Twitter.
The publication then registered with Google, which then itself cancelled the registration, claiming its own terms and conditions had been breached.
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GoDaddy has been praised for its actions, but many have also pointed out there have been a number of previous calls for it to withdraw its services.
Airbnb has also taken action against some of its far right users, with some banned because they planned to use the site to find accommodation for this weekend’s rallies.
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First published: 14/08/2017 / Last updated: 15/08/2017
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As much as one might dislike the group - If its still a legal organisation in the jurisdiction then Google and GoDaddy are wrong to refuse them.
The old Voltaire argument (or who ever really said it!)
'I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.'
Needs to be applied.
From the providers point of view its also a dangerous move, it can now be argued that any information/ organisation served by them is implicitly approved by them- so leaving them open to be sued or even criminal action.