Anonymity and Pseudonymity:Free Speech's Problem Children

Abstract

Through comparative analysis of United States, English, German and European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence, this article considers the viability of relying exclusively on either speaker or audience interests to underpin a free speech right within the context of anonymous and pseudonymous social media and online speech. It argues that this approach, which has hitherto been applied in these jurisdictions, can lead to a ‘double-edged sword’: on the one side, pursuant to audience interests, people may be dissuaded from participating in the exchange of information and ideas, because their anonymity or pseudonymity is not protected; on the other side, a constitutionally protected right to free speech based entirely on speaker interests could inadvertently protect unwanted and damaging speech.

Divisions: College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Law School
Additional Information: Copyright: LexisNexis.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Free speech, anonymous and pseudonymous expression, social media
Last Modified: 12 Feb 2024 08:16
Date Deposited: 05 Dec 2017 16:10
Full Text Link: https://papers. ... ract_id=3105268
Related URLs: https://law.uni ... arts-law-review (Publisher URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2018-03-31
Accepted Date: 2017-12-05
Authors: Coe, Peter (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-6036-4127)

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