GOP Devin Nunes sues Twitter for Shadowbanning – possible direction for pro-Modi Activists in India?
In a path-breaking action, California’s GOP Rep. Devin Nunes has slapped a lawsuit seeking $250 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages against Twitter. It is because he accuses Twitter of “shadow-banning conservatives” in the run up to the 2018 elections as it was done to influence the elections by systematically censoring opposing viewpoints.
In a complaint filed in Virginia state court on Monday, obtained by Fox News, Nunes claimed Twitter wanted to derail his work on the House Intelligence Committee, which he chaired until 2019, as he looked into alleged and apparent surveillance abuses by the government. Nunes said Twitter was guilty of “knowingly hosting and monetizing content that is clearly abusive, hateful and defamatory – providing both a voice and financial incentive to the defamers – thereby facilitating defamation on its platform.”
The lawsuit alleged defamation, conspiracy and negligence, and sought not only damages, but also an injunction compelling Twitter to turn over the identities behind numerous accounts he said harassed and defamed him. The lawsuit is separate from Nunes’ work on the House Intelligence Committee, where he is now the ranking member. (source)
Twitter not only has this bias in US but also in India and attempts to influence the narratives and debates in India in a big time.
For example, there have been reports and examples of how those who are pro-Modi have been repeatedly shadow-banned. Here are some of the examples.
Twitter deleted my pinned tweet for the second time. First with 5600 RTs and now 3000 RTs. On top of that Shadow banned since last 6-7 months ???????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/ghvUUiItW8
— Chowkidar Dhaval Patel (@dhaval241086) February 22, 2019
And Nupur, editor at Opindia, was shadow-banned
So has been the prolific pro-Modi Shefali Vaidya.
In fact she was shadow banned for over a month at one time.
I have been under a shadow ban by @TwitterIndia for more than a month now. Started the day I called out @misskaul and her abusive tweets! https://t.co/yEhjmsci6s
— Shefali Vaidya ஷெஃபாலி வைத்யா शेफाली वैद्य (@ShefVaidya) November 27, 2018
And her retweets for her posts have gone down very visibly and her followers called it out as well.
Earlier ur tweets used to get over 1000 Rts easily. Now I see many with 20-30 RTs. Very strange.
— Vikas Pandey Chowkidar (@MODIfiedVikas) November 27, 2018
With so many activists – including Narendra Modi – being targeted by Twitter – Twitter Directly Targets India’s PM Modi and his Supporters as Dorsey Attempts a Putin in India – in a bid to influence and unjustly target the democratic process within India, there may be a case to do what Nunes has done in India as well.
What needs to happen is that some of the top influencers in India, including some of the top politicians and business people like Mohandas Pai – should come together and file a lawsuit. Perhaps even Class Action Lawsuit against Twitter and Jack Dorsey because of how the company and the person behind it are attempting to target India’s elections.