Free Speech & Social Media
Safeguarding the vitality and integrity of public discourse online
Conversations that once took place in parks, sidewalks, and public squares now take place largely online, and often on privately owned social media platforms. As a society, we are just beginning to grapple with the question of how the First Amendment and free speech principles should apply in these digital spaces.
Our work seeks to illuminate the forces that are shaping public discourse online, and to ensure the inclusivity and integrity of digital spaces that are increasingly important to our democracy.
Featured
LATEST NEWS & ANALYSIS
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Press Statement
Technology Researchers Challenge Trump Policy Threatening Deportation for Work on Social Media Platforms and Online Harms
Say policy chills a broad range of protected speech and violates the Constitution
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Deep Dive
The U.S. Supreme Court’s TikTok Ruling is a Scandal
The decision means TikTok now operates under the threat that it could be forced offline with a stroke of Trump’s pen
By Evelyn Douek & Jameel Jaffer
LITIGATION & ADVOCACY
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Lawsuit
Coalition for Independent Technology Research v. Rubio
A challenge to a visa policy targeting tech researchers and online safety workers
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Amicus Brief
Harvard College v. HHS
A lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s retaliatory targeting of Harvard College
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Amicus Brief
The Associated Press v. Budowich
A case challenging The Associated Press’ exclusion from the White House press pool.
RESEARCH
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Essays and Scholarship
The Long Online Shadow of the Material Support Law
How the Supreme Court's ruling on a law meant to curb support to foreign terrorist groups has impacted our own domestic political discourse
By Evelyn Douek -
Essays and Scholarship
Into the Driver’s Seat With Social Media Content Feeds
Using vehicles as an analogy, a proposed classification framework for algorithmic feeds
By Laura Edelson , Frances Haugen & Damon McCoy
Events
Joseph D. Jamail Lecture Hall
The Encampments: Film Screening & Discussion
Columbia University
Optimizing for What? Algorithmic Amplification and Society
A two-day symposium exploring algorithmic amplification and distortion as well as potential interventions