Note: This “Moore to the Point” commentary aired on NewsTalkSTL on Monday, October 10th. Audio included below.

PayPal caused quite a stir over the weekend after reports surfaced that it would soon be docking users by up to $2,500 for participating in the spread of “misinformation.” Reaction online was swift and harsh – with many users declaring via social media that they would be closing their accounts.

Late on Saturday came word that PayPal was reversing course. A company spokesman stated that the “acceptable use policy” notice “went out in error” and “included incorrect information,” insisting that “PayPal is not fining people for misinformation and this language was never intended to be inserted in our policy.”

Which begs the question: How did “language [that] was never intended to be inserted in [their] policy” nevertheless find its way… into their policy? Certainly, it didn’t materialize out of thin air. Someone thought it a worthwhile enough idea to draft the language. Just one more indicator of the troubling impulses in much of corporate America when it comes to curtailing speech — or “wrongthink.”

For many, this reversal came a day late and a dollar short – they’re still closing their accounts. And for those who are eyeing Venmo as an alternative, a word to the wise – PayPal owns Venmo.

No word yet on whether PayPal will be fining itself for the “misinformation” that “went out in error.”