(Reclaim The Net) — While PayPal has walked back its threat to fine users $2,500 for “misinformation,” the payment processing company is still reserving the right to fine users the same amount for other alleged transgressions.
In its current “Acceptable Use Policy,” which has been active for a year, PayPal states that: “Violation of this Acceptable Use Policy constitutes a violation of the PayPal User Agreement and may subject you to damages, including liquidated damages of $2,500.00 U.S. dollars per violation which may be debited directly from your PayPal account(s).” [Emphasis added.]
READ: PayPal’s plan to fine users for ‘misinformation’ was a totalitarian trial balloon
According to PayPal’s list of “prohibited activities,” users can be fined $2,500 if any of their transactions relate to or involve “intolerance that is discriminatory,” “the promotion of hate,” and “items that are considered obscene.”
Not only is PayPal reserving the right to fine users based on broad and subjective terms but its “User Agreement” states that PayPal will fine users if it “believe[s]” they’ve engaged in a prohibited activity.
“If we believe that you’ve engaged in any of these activities, we may take a number of actions to protect PayPal, its customers and others at any time in our sole discretion,” the PayPal User Agreement states.
READ: PayPal unfreezes conservative group’s account after DeSantis vows to stop financial discrimination
The terms that PayPal is using to justify these potential fines of up to $2,500 are often used by companies and governments to restrict online speech. One of the most relevant examples of this speech policing is fundraising platform GoFundMe’s decision to suspend a campaign from political commentator Candace Owens for “intolerance” over opinions on protests.
Even when it doesn’t fine users, there are many examples of PayPal suddenly shutting down user accounts for alleged violations of its “Acceptable Use Policy.”
Reprinted with permission from Reclaim The Net.