Tech Giant Brings Software to a Gun Fight

by Jay Greene, The Washington Post

Salesforce.com is pressuring sporting-goods retailers and other customers of its business-management and e-commerce software to stop selling a range of firearms, or be prohibited from using its products.

Some industry proponents criticize this move, calling it “corporate-policy virtue signaling” that is biased against gun owners. Technology companies’ activism also has stoked claims of overreach, with Facebook, Google, and Twitter accused of censorship for cracking down on what they designate as hate speech or dangerous individuals.

The activist actions of technology giants are amplified, because customers rely on their critical software and services. Consumers, meanwhile, are frequently unaware that they are engaging with other companies when they put items in their online shopping cart, or talk to a customer service representative.

DCL: About time someone did something meaningful about guns in the country!