ePublius: Anonymous Speech Rights Online

8 Pages Posted: 15 Jul 2010

Date Written: July 14, 2010

Abstract

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits Congress from abridging the freedom of speech, yet the text of the Amendment does not expressly address the issue of anonymous speech rights. Historical records from state ratifying conventions and from the First Congress do not discuss anonymous expression. Still, anonymous speakers and their works played an immensely important role in the founding era and throughout American history. This essay explores the interplay between the right to speak anonymously and the freedom of speech on the Internet. It concludes that the First Amendment also protects the right of individuals to speak anonymously online.

Keywords: anonymous speech, internet, online, first amendment, free speech

Suggested Citation

Larios, Miguel E., ePublius: Anonymous Speech Rights Online (July 14, 2010). Rutgers Law Record, Vol. 37, p. 36, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1640133

Miguel E. Larios (Contact Author)

Law Office of Stephen F. Potts ( email )

2720 S. River Road, Suite 140
Des Plaines, IL 60018
United States

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