Filters and Freedom 2.0: Free Speech Perspectives on Internet Content Controls

Filters and Freedom 2.0 examines how Internet filtering and rating systems relate to freedom of expression. Originally proposed as a technological solution that would forestall official censorship, content filtering has been shown to pose its own signicant threats to free expression on the Internet. Often characterized by their proponents as mere features or tools, filtering and rating systems can also be viewed as fundamental architectural changes that may, in fact, facilitate the suppression of speech far more effectively than national laws alone ever could. This newly revised edition addresses recent developments, including new content control legislation in the United States, efforts within the European Union to establish a uniform rating regime for online material, and the growing controversy over the use of filtering in public libraries. Partly as a result of the writings contained in this collection, the headlong rush toward the development and acceptance of filtering and rating systems has slowed. These critical views must be considered carefully if we are to preserve freedom of expression in the online world.