Kate StarbirdIn ~2014, my colleague & I argued that social media (esp. Twitter) had become part of the critical infrastructure of disaster response. People were turning to Twitter during crises to share information about impacts and resources. Disaster responders were using the data shared there for situational awareness, and were communicating in real-time with their constituents. Today’s events underscore just how dangerous it is for society to come to rely on private platforms as critical infrastructure.
Yza@katestarbird my opinion is that if something becomes such a critical societal tool then it should be nationalized (though it's a more complex matter for an international service). It shouldn't even bother the owners of something like twitter, given how it was never profitable. being bought out should serve them fine