Last year The WinePress reported in late-July that PayPal initiated a new move to start really flushing out those whom they did not want to use their services, in a report titled “PayPal Will Start Shutting Down Bank Accounts To Fight “Extremism.” Other Big Tech Outlets Clamping Down On “Hate Groups.””
One of the executives for PayPal stated, “The goal is to also share what we learn with other companies that are dealing with some of the same challenges, as well as with law enforcement and elected officials. Because we need a whole of society strategy if we are really going to put an end to extremism and hate.”
Then in October The WP was censored by PayPal, cutting off the ability to accept donations, but had to provide additional paperwork that was not previously required and was happening to a few people at the time. Needless to say, The WP does not use PayPal anymore.
But what is now happening to some journalists is far more ‘extreme’ than what was done to The WP.
As reported by TK News, independent outlets like Consortium News and MintPress had all of their services completely cutoff, and deleted their accounts. Both parties received messages that read:
You can’t use PayPal anymore.
At PayPal, we value a safer community for our customers to do business. We noticed activity in your account that’s inconsistent with our User Agreement, and therefore we can no longer offer you PayPal services.
After 180 days, if applicable, we’ll email you with information on how to withdraw any remaining money from your PayPal account.
Joe Lauria, editor for Consortium News, was able to get ahold of an actual person from PayPal, and asked what would become of the outlet’s “held” or frozen revenue. The PayPal employee said they could hold onto that money for an infinite amount of time if they decide that “there was a violation.” According to Lauria, he was told PayPal could keep the company’s remaining $9,384.14 balance if they want to, which would cover the “damages.”
A secretive process in which they could award themselves damages, not by a judge or a jury. Totally in secret.
Lauria told xplained to Matt Taibbi of TK News
Consortium has been covering information regarding the American and NATO biolabs in the Ukraine, the “Russiagate” scandal, and frequently covers pieces regarding Julian Assange, lending their sympathy to the man.
Duck Duck Go Will Now Start ‘Down-Ranking Sites Associated With Russian Disinformation’
Mnar Adley, founder and executive director for MintPress, said as far back as 2010 PayPal has been conspiring with the U.S. intelligence agencies to target independent news outlets, since they made the decision to block donations to Wikileaks. The payment app purportedly received a letter from the State Department claiming that these donations were illegal, and PayPal was quick to cutoff this service thereafter.
PayPal banning donations from WikiLeaks really set up the blueprint for today’s censorship.
Adley said
Gmail Is Sending Many Emails To Spam They Deem ‘Far-Right’
Taibbi for TK News additionally gave his assessment on this situation:
[Outlets like Consortium have] had content disrupted by platforms like Facebook before, but now its pockets are being picked in addition.This episode ups the ante again on the content moderation movement, toward the world hinted at in the response to the Canadian trucker protests, where having the wrong opinions can result in your money being frozen or seized.
Taibbi added,
Going after cash is a big jump from simply deleting speech, with a much bigger chilling effect.
This is especially true in the alternative media world, where money has long been notoriously tight, and the loss of a few thousand dollars here or there can have a major effect on a site, podcast, or paper.
And while it does not necessarily directly impact donations and revenue, The WinePress reported in February of this year that a bipartisan group of senators (John Kennedy, Cory Booker, Rand Paul, Sheldon Whitehouse, Cynthia Lummis, Dianne Feinstein, Susan M. Collins) wrote a bill that would effectively stomp out all independent journalists and those not in “the club,” from being seen on social media, and virtually buried on the internet. That bill is still in limbo today.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
[25] How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? [26] Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?Job 6:25-26
And this is why I despise PayPal; but, give it a little more time and this will expand to even more payment services.
Therefore, I encourage readers to utilize The WP P.O. Box if it is convenient and equitable to do, if in the event more payment services try to do the same thing to me.
While I know very little about MintPress and Consortium, be that is it may, this marks another critical turning point in battle against freedom of speech and thought. PayPal and others will get theirs eventually.
[16] But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? [17] Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. [18] When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. [19] Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. [20] Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. [21] These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. [22] Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. [23] Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.Psalms 50:16-23
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Very interesting
Paypal forced me to dual verify with a phone instead of my regular email. I have no phone, so I used my GF. Paypal determined that her phone did not belong to me and they blocked access to my acct. It took three weeks and numerous emails to clear that up. Evidently, people in India control paypal.
PNC bank did the same and started forcing me to dual verify, though I have no phone, never had. They are doing it because I might get hacked! I pointed out that 90% of amazon theft is attributed to hacked phones. Long story short, I am no longer a PNC customer.