Internet censorship in the United States

Internet censorship in the United States is the suppression of information published or viewed on the Internet in the United States. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects freedom of speech and expression against federal, state, and local government censorship.

Free speech protections allow little government-mandated Internet content restrictions. However, the Internet is highly regulated, supported by a complex set of legally binding and privately mediated mechanisms.[1]

Gambling, cyber security, and the dangers to children who frequent social media are important ongoing debates. Significant public resistance to proposed content restriction policies has prevented measures used in some other countries from taking hold in the US[1]

Many government-mandated attempts to regulate content have been barred, often after lengthy legal battles.[2] However, the government has exerted pressure indirectly. With the exception of child pornography, content restrictions tend to rely on platforms to remove/suppress content, following state encouragement or the threat of legal action.[3][1]

Intellectual property protections yielded a system that predictably removes infringing materials.[1][4] The US also seizes domains and computers, at times without notification.[5][6][7][8]

  1. ^ a b c d "United States and Canada | OpenNet Initiative". opennet.net. OpenNet Initiative. 30 March 2010. Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  2. ^ Bambauer, Derek E. (2009). "Cybersieves". Duke Law Journal. 59.
  3. ^ Palfrey, Jr., John; Rogoyski, Robert (2006). "The Move to the Middle: The Enduring Threat of 'Harmful' Speech to the End-to-End Principle" (PDF). Washington University Journal of Law and Policy. 21: 31–65. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-14.
  4. ^ "Unintended Consequences: Twelve Years under the DMCA". Electronic Frontier Foundation. March 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-05-05.
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