Mastercard working to shut down use of cards on websites that incite violence

Joan Cros Garcia/Corbis via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Mastercard has decided to shut down the use of their credit cards on websites that incite hate and violence.

In a statement released Saturday afternoon, the company spoke of the recent violence that occurred in Charlottesville and the “dangers of extremism.” They are now  working with acquirers to shut down the use of their cards on sites that make specific threats or incite violence because this activity can be unlawful.

Part of the company’s business principles is that they  do not and will not permit merchants to engage in unlawful activity on their network.

After careful review of a number of websites, Mastercard began shutting down service on sites that could have been considered as “hate groups”.

The company stated, “We believe that offensive speech will be seen for what it is and that it will lose its force in the free marketplace of ideas. For that reason, our cards may still be accepted at some sites that people find offensive. Our standard is whether a merchant’s activity is lawful, even when we disagree with what they say or do. That supports the ideals of free expression.”

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