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In the US, could a phone company, theoretically, suppress certain kinds of speech by censoring certain words or phrases as they’re being transmitted over the phone company’s infrastructure? In order to set aside privacy issues, let's say we’re talking about an automated block on certain words in an SMS or in an audio call.

What about messaging apps like ichat or whatsapp?

Mr. Cooperman
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No, they may not.

Telephone companies are considered "common carriers," and they are therefore generally prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against customers under the Communications Act of 1932.

bdb484
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Yes. They could. The first amendment does not apply to private companies.

ohwilleke
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