Do Search Engines Have Free-Speech Rights?

Freedom-of-search

A group of Chinese-speaking pro-democracy activists sued search giant Baidu, demanding $16 million in damages for allegedly excluding their publications from search results. Their argument was simple: Baidu is infringing upon civil liberties with its censorship practices.


In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman dismissed the activists' lawsuit on Thursday, arguing that Baidu has a free-speech right to censor anything it wants, and to show whatever search results it chooses.



Sound ironic? Even the judge knows the issue could be perceived that way — but he disagrees. Read more...


More about Google, Search Engine, Censorship, Baidu, and Freedom Of Speech

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