Slashdot Mirror
Facebook Sued In US Court For Blocking Page In India
itwbennett writes: Facebook has been sued in California by the non-profit organization Sikhs For Justice for blocking their page in India. The group has charged Facebook with engaging in 'a pattern of civil rights violation and blatant discriminatory conduct' by blocking its content in the whole of India. It has asked the court for a permanent injunction on further blocking of the page, access to Facebook's correspondence with the Indian government about the block, and an award of damages, besides other relief.
So a newspaper can refuse to run classified ads from a particular race or religion?
The newspaper can refuse to run a Pro-Muslim/Anti-Muslim, Pro-Christian, Anti-Christian, or Pro-Canadian advertisement based on the content of the ad; they can reject ads saying things positive or negative about a particular race or religion based on the content of the ad.
The newspaper cannot refuse to run an ad based on the race or religion of the person paying for the ad or requesting its placement.
In other words: they can discriminate against or in favor of any message they want.
As a provider of services accomadating the public, they are not allowed to discriminate based on protected traits of the individual applying to list an ad.