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Amazon accuses customer of racism & shuts down their smart home!

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madires:
That's the worst possible thing they could have done (shooting the messenger). It's now out in the public - shitstorm in 3 ... 2 ...

wraper:
It took them just 7 years to suddenly review an application, find totally BS reasons and reject a "temporary account".

MK14:

--- Quote from: tszaboo on June 23, 2023, 07:59:20 am ---Follow-up from Louis Rossmann:
Amazon cancels my account after exposing account lockout for "racist doorbell"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcohq313q00&t=237s

He didn't bow to our corporate overlords.

--- End quote ---

If it is not simply just an amazing coincidence.  Then that is ridiculous that Amazon has handled this situation this way.

As I see it, these 'bad publicity' reports, have been useful information, on how Amazon can improve its services, for its customers, in the future.

They should be reacting in a nice and good way and improving things.  Instead they seem to be using bullying tactics.  Which imply to me Amazon have absolutely no intention of improving, as regards these 'complaints'.

At some point, Amazon could go down hill enough, that better informed customers, will or should know, to avoid doing business with them.

Surely such antics break one or more laws in the US, such as freedom of speech or another one of the basic rights.

Analogy:
There is just one big fast-food place, in the entire small city, the next nearest being way, way out of town.  They sometimes serve terrible food, and if you complain and ask for a decent replacement or your money back. They then permanently ban you from their fast-food place, on made up or for highly-exaggerated reasons.

Effectively blackmailing people to just grin and bare, the terrible services and at times bad food quality of that fast-food place, because it effectively has a monopoly on that entire small city.

jpanhalt:
You touch on a couple of items in America that are easily misunderstood.  Our First Amendment (freedom of speech, religion, etc.) only applies to government actions, not business actions.  However, the back door to that is a claim of discrimination against a "protected class." (Yes, America has a class system.)  Mr. Rossmann is probably not a protected class in that sense.   Viewpoint, political party, and wealth don't constitute a protected class.

Another consideration involves what is commonly called a "place of public accommodation."  Here is a quote about Ohio law, which is probably pretty common in every state:

--- Quote ---The Ohio Civil Rights Commission investigates cases that allege discrimination has occurred in a place of public accommodation within the State of Ohio.  In order to file a charge of discrimination for this reason, the act of discrimination must have occurred no more than six (6) months prior to the date of filing a charge of discrimination.

A place of public accommodation is a place that offers accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges that are available to the public.  An example of a place of public accommodation would include, but is not limited to, supermarkets, movie theaters, hotels, and amusement parks.  Patrons/guests are entitled to receive the full enjoyment of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of the place of public accommodation.
--- End quote ---

I suspect Mr. Rossmann has already spoken with counsel and knows his options.

MK14:
Really, Amazon could be making a big mistake, messing around with Louis Rossmann.  He has a big Youtube channel with lots of followers (around 2 million subscribers), but is well known in the wider technical communities as well.

He also, is what I would consider (not trying to be rude here), a significant 'activist' character.  E.g. For things like the right to repair.

He also probably creates contacts in the right places, to gain political influence and similar.  To attempt to get new laws and stuff in place.

I see him as effectively being a modern day news/journalist, and hence should be protected in law.  So he can investigate things where necessary and freely report his findings.  It use to be that such people officially worked for newspapers and TV studios.

But these days, big influential Youtube channels, are a bit like past small community regional newspapers and communication channels (Radio and TV).

I'm not sure if freedom of the press laws, are flexible enough to count Louis Rossmann, as an amateur independent, smaller one.  Or if the existing laws need to be reviewed (not necessarily just in America), as times are gradually changing/shifting.

Edit: In fairness, there is a degree of difference between professional journalists (the press), and big influential Youtube channels.  So, I'm not sure how these different, modern day 'roles' should be defined and treated in law.
A sort of professional/official journalist on TV or newspaper, vs a modern day amateur Youtube mini journalist like, part time role.  But still important, over some issues at times.

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