PayPal Still Threatens $2500 Fines for Promoting “Discriminatory” “Intolerance” (Even if Not “Misinformation”)

Yahoo! Finance (Adam Sabes) reported yesterday (as did many other sites):

A new PayPal user agreement that threatens to fine users up to $2,500 if they use the service to “promote misinformation,” was sent out “in error,” a PayPal spokesperson tells FOX Business.

The updated PayPal Acceptable Use Policy effective Nov. 3 included an expansion of “prohibited activities,” which includes the “ending, posting, or publication of messages, content, or materials that meet certain criteria.”

According to the updated PayPal user agreement, the company states that each violation could result in “liquidated damages of $2,500.00” per violation, which would be withdrawn directly from their account.

One of the violations listed, according to the agreement, is that … “[users] may 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 … promote misinformation.”

But it appears that the policy continues to be in effect for other speech, according to PayPal’s official Acceptable Use Policy, last updated Sept. 20, 2021:

We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!

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) as outlined in the User Agreement (see “Restricted Activities and Holds” section of the PayPal User Agreement).

Prohibited activities

You may not use the PayPal service for activities that … relate to … the promotion of hate, violence, racial or other forms of intolerance that is discriminatory or the financial exploitation of a crime ….

reason.com/volokh/2022/10/09/paypal-still-threatens-2500-fines-for-promoting-discriminatory-intolerance-even-if-not-misinformation/

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