Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

They're not arrested for posting on Facebook. They're arrested for _what_ they're posting on Facebook.



Just like any other authoritarian state


Hardly. There are limits to speech in most jurisdictions. That hardly crosses the threshold for "authoritarian". The high profile cases in the UK have been around incitement to violence and contempt of court.


Yes, people in the US don't get arrested for that.



Stop it. We don't deal in "facts" any more.


No, they get arrested for conduct that would be criminal no matter where they did it. Facebook (2x) and Twitter (2x) were the (virtual) venues where the crimes were committed, but the crimes were attempting to organize a mob to burn down a courthouse, inciting and threatening to murder police, conspiracy to suppress votes and threatening to kill the President. The crimes would be just as criminal had they been done in person at a local bar (or any other physical location).


Which is exactly the same as in the UK.

> The crimes would be just as criminal had they been done in person at a local bar (or any other physical location).

I agree. Where the US differs is that because of the US's 1st amendment it's _not_ a crime to say those things even in a bar.

Anyway, all of that to say that americans are arrested for posting things on the internet, despite what people claim.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: