If freedom of speech is absolute, how come it's not applied for private spaces and for the Internet?
Last Updated: 24.06.2025 00:25

You have freedom of speech. If I loan you my computer, I can tell you not to use it for certain things, because it’s mine, you have no right to use it, and if I give you permission to use it I can tell you what you can and can’t do with it.
Threats of violence
Insider trading
You have freedom to travel. If I loan you my car, I can tell you not to take it out of town, because it’s mine, you have no right to use it, and if I give you permission to use it I can tell you what you can and can’t do with it.
Conspiracy
That’s what it is. You have no right to use other people’s stuff. If people let you use their stuff, they can tell you how you can use it, and they can tell you to stop using it any time they want.
I can't stop thinking about this plotline in 'Materialists' - NPR
Revealing classified information
Revenge porn
Terroristic threats
Joey Chestnut, barred last July, returns to Nathan’s hot dog eating contest - The Washington Post
Fraud
If you’re wondering why free speech doesn’t apply to the internet, it’s because you have no right to use other people’s stuff for free.
Trade secrets
Defense Department signs OpenAI for $200 million 'frontier AI' pilot project - theregister.com
Freedom of speech does not apply to:
False advertising
Child pornography
New ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Single-Player Video Game in the Works - Variety
Insurrection
HIPAA violations
Perjury
Morning Briefing: Lindor Ties Jeter on Home Run Leaderboard - Metsmerized Online
And much, much more.
No freedom is absolute.