Handling Accounts Suspended on Other Platforms

In one of our earlier write ups we wrote about What Koo Stands For and the fundamental principles that make up Koo.

Freedoms & Responsibilities

Koo believes in freedom of speech and expression and assures that everyone has equal access to Koo and can express themselves in a language of their choice and on a topic of their liking.

This assurance is a reflection of the rights of freedom of speech and expression which are granted, by law, in the offline world. We believe that all of us are equal. All have the right to be, have access, grow and be the best versions of ourselves.

The offline rights of freedom of speech and expression are also accompanied by corresponding responsibilities when these rights are exercised — the most important of them being truthfulness and a respect for the rights of others as well.

Just as laws protect freedoms in the real world, there are strict legal rules to handle misinformation, false news and hatred too. The rights and responsibilities are thus balanced out.

The Balance

At Koo, we put in a lot of effort to replicate this balance of equal access and freedoms on one hand and responsibilities on the other. This is easier said than done, and assumes special significance when dealing with users against whom action has been taken in the real world or on other social media platforms.

At first glance, it is very attractive to say that banning an individual is a violation of free speech, is wrong, and such users should be allowed to open an account on another platform without restriction. However, while this argument addresses the rights of such users, it fails to account for the responsibilities that such users have to others.

The Koo Approach

Koo looks at this situation as below

• One of the fundamental principles Koo stands for is equal opportunity and freedom of speech and expression for all.
• Hence, everyone is welcome on Koo and are free to express themselves on any topic of their choice.
• At the same time, all users are also bound by the corresponding responsibilities granted with the exercise of these rights.
• This is especially true for personalities who are controversial outside of Koo and may have been banned or suspended from other platforms.
• Opening an account on Koo is not a license to continue to ignore the responsibilities attached with the right of freedom of speech and expression.

On Koo,

• Such personalities have a right to open an account
• If eligible, have a right to be granted the Yellow Eminence Tick, while at the same time
• Will be monitored closely to ensure that they comply with Community Guidelines, Terms of Service and the law of the land
• May be placed under special content moderation measures to ensure that such users do not continue to ignore their responsibilities to other users
• Will be monitored for the same behavior which got them banned/suspended elsewhere
• May find themselves insulated from other users till such time they have earned the trust of the community

We believe this is a fair approach and reflects the realities of the offline world. As stated earlier, opening an account is an exercise of freedom of speech and Koo will not be prejudiced based on conduct elsewhere. However, opening an account on Koo is not a license and reasonable probationary restrictions may be placed to ensure that the rights of other users are also respected.