The Loadout Blog

Snapshot|Commentary

Hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is defined by Webster as: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not : behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel. This definition perfectly defines the realm in which Big Tech works in…hypocrisy. Back in February, we were able to see that full hypocrisy on display against Scorpion 6 Knives.

First, in order to see and understand this hypocrisy we must provide the context to the discussion. So, let’s begin there.

Back in late February during the devastating winter storms that ripped through the midwest and especially Texas. Scorpion 6 Knives conducted a fundraiser to help local Texas Charities in midst of the chaos. During that fundraising drive Scorpion 6 was able to raise $6k in donations for Kids Meals Houston and the Texas State Aquarium.

After, the fundraiser was completed Shane the owner of Scorpion 6 attempted to access those funds on PayPal and Venmo but was denied access. PayPal had permanently suspended his account and Venmo restricted his access upon further review.

PayPal suspended his account due to Scorpion 6 Knives violating its Acceptable Use Policy under prohibited items. Scorpion 6 knives was under the understanding they were allowed to sell those knives as long as the were legal within that person’s state jurisdiction. If a knife was illegal in your state Scorpion 6 Knives offered a state legal variant for those owners to be in compliance. Scorpion 6 actively sought to follow PayPal’s policies and terms. The company had been selling knives using PayPal transaction services for over five years at the time of the suspension.

Now, all the sudden Scorpion 6 is in violation of PayPal’s policies? Why? What changed?

During this time Scorpion 6 Knives was contacted by email from PayPal’s Executive Escalation Department in regards to the suspension. There the company was informed it was in violation of PayPal’s Acceptable Use Policy under the provision of Prohibited Items. As, stated before Scorpion 6 was under the understanding they were in compliance of all policies.

In response to that email Shane wrote a rebuttal. In that rebuttal Shane eloquently and masterfully portrayed the hypocrisy of Big Tech policy enforcement. In the letter Shane gave examples of prohibited items aka knives that where being sold by Bass Pro Shops, REI, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Scorpion 6 Knives Rebuttal Email

Bass Pro was selling a folding butterfly machete which is illegal in many states and countries. REI sold an fixed blade combat knife by Gerber Knives. While Dick’s was selling a spring assisted knife also by Gerber Knives. He also shows evidence that EBay has the capability to sell his knives and they can all use PayPal services!

All, these companies sell knives that would fall under PayPal’s “Prohibited Items” in their Acceptable Use Policy. So, under PayPal’s own policy these companies shouldn’t have access to PayPal online transaction system. Period. If we are holding these companies to the same standards as Scorpion 6 Knives. But, PayPal is not holding Bass Pro, REI, and Dick’s to the same policy standards. This is because doesn’t possess any business integrity. That has been made blatantly obvious by their hypocrisy and unequal enforcement of their own policies.

These companies are able to sell these knives without impunity because they simply bring in too much revenue for PayPal to ignore. It’s greed and PayPal is protecting their bottomline and big business.

Yet, PayPal has the audacity to tell Scoprion 6 that it decision was based on “policy” and “the safety of the community”. That is complete and utter bullshit. It’s bullshit at its finest. The aroma is strong, pungent, and unmistakable. It’s the smell of hypocrisy. If this decision was based solely on policy, then you would need to suspend and remove your services from those big corporations. PayPal would never bite the hand that feeds them. Bass Pro Shops, REI, and Dick’s brings in hundreds of millions of dollars into PayPal each year. PayPal will not jostle their money makers to enforce their own policies.

PayPal doesn’t care about you, your safety, or community. They claim to have a zero-tolerance about using their online transaction system to sell “Prohibited Items”. They enforce their own policies unevenly, while protecting big business. Essentially, creating a climate where only big business can thrive and effectively cutting out small business owners. Making it harder for those small businesses to make money and grow.

The only thing PayPal is beholden to is their investors and the all mighty dollar. Your like all other companies obsessed with your bottomline. You don’t care who you have to trample on along the way. Actions like this do nothing but, cripple and crush the backbone of the American economy which are small business. Small business which you seek to exclude and diminish based on uneven and biased enforcement of your policies. Policies that protect the powerful and trample on the week. Good for you PayPal and Big Tech…your a tyrant.

What do you think of hypocrisy of Big Tech? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks For Reading

If you enjoyed this post, hit that like button, share it a friend, and subscribe. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or comments. Please feel free to drop a comment. Be Humble. Train until only savagery remains and stay deadly ladies and gents.