Too late: PayPal apologizes for new ‘misinformation’ policy
Fierce backlash and calls for boycott have forced PayPal to walk back a policy update which would fine users $2,500 for “misinformation” and “objectionable” content. The backlash followed a report by America’s Frontline News, who broke the story on October 6.
According to the now-retracted policy, a user could not use the PayPal service for activities that “involve the sending, posting, or publication of any messages, content, or materials that, in PayPal’s sole discretion . . . are harmful, obscene, harassing, or objectionable.”
The payment giant then adds that a user can be fined for merely depicting discrimination of “protected groups based on protected characteristics.”
“...depict, promote, or incite hatred or discrimination of protected groups or of individuals or groups based on protected characteristics (e.g. race, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.).”
In addition, anything that presents “a risk to user safety or wellbeing,” is “fraudulent” or “promotes misinformation” is subject to the minimum $2,500 fine.
“...present a risk to user safety or wellbeing, (g) are fraudulent, promote misinformation, or are unlawful, (h) infringe the privacy, intellectual property rights, or other proprietary rights of any party, or (i) are otherwise unfit for publication.”
Former PayPal President and Co-Founder David Marcus slammed PayPal’s update, saying “it goes against everything I believe in.”
“It’s hard for me to openly criticize a company I used to love and gave so much to,” Marcus tweeted. “But @PayPal’s AUP goes against everything I believe in. A private company now gets to decide to take your money if you say something they disagree with. Insanity.”
“Agreed,” replied Elon Musk.
Calls for a boycott snowballed on Twitter with some users posting screenshots of their PayPal account cancellations.
“If you still have a PayPal account, you're part of the problem,” wrote political commentator Paul Joseph Watson. “Cancel it. Venmo too. You don't need it.”
“Just moved all money I had in my PayPal account out of it,” tweeted the Daily Wire’s Candace Owens. “And I very must suggest you do the same. This is serious. They are delaying the transfer “pending review” for 12 hours. But at least it’s done. #PayPal is dead.”
PayPal subsequently tried to claim the update notice was "incorrect” and apologized.
“An [Accepted Use Policy] notice recently went out in error that included incorrect information,” said a PayPal spokesperson. “PayPal is not fining people for misinformation and this language was never intended to be inserted in our policy. We’re sorry for the confusion this has caused.”
But by Tuesday, the damage had been done. PayPal’s stock plummeted by more than 6% losing $6 billion worth of equity and global searches for “delete PayPal” spiked 1,392%, according to MarketWatch.
“PayPal isn’t sorry, they’re just mad they got caught,” commented actor Kevin Sorbo.
“Stop using PayPal and look for alternatives,” tweeted Dinesh D’Souza. “They were ready to steal $2500 of your money on the pretext that you have the wrong opinions. Sick bastards! They only backed down because they got busted. Let’s bust them some more so the lesson really sinks in!”
Some have speculated that PayPal, which is known for routinely de-platforming its political opponents, was emboldened to update their policy after facing little pushback for their actions.
