If freedom of speech is absolute, how come it's not applied for private spaces and for the Internet?

Last Updated: 02.07.2025 23:52

If freedom of speech is absolute, how come it's not applied for private spaces and for the Internet?

No freedom is absolute.

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

Ossett prostate cancer patient urges men to have checks - BBC

Insurrection

And much, much more.

Child pornography

Wastewater is now helping track measles spread around the US - CNN

Terroristic threats

Conspiracy

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.

3 Subtle Signs Your Relationship Is Near Its End — By A Psychologist - Forbes

Revenge porn

False advertising

Perjury

Google's Find Hub finally gets AirTag-like UWB precision finding - Android Police

Revealing classified information

Fraud

Freedom of speech does not apply to:

Can you provide a list of cities named after animals and the animals they were named after?

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.

HIPAA violations

Insider trading

What would happen if Jill Stein won her complaint against CNN over being excluded from the presidential debate?

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.

Trade secrets