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Does the First Amendment Protect Search Engine Results?

Many have wondered whether or not the First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects search engine results. Well, in a white paper titled First Amendment Protection for Search Engine Search Results, this question is examined. At the very beginning of the white paper, it is clearly stated that the First Amendment protects search results of search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo.

In the white paper, the writers argue that content published online is similar to content published in newspapers, magazines and over the broadcast airwaves. This is why search engine results are protected by the First Amendment.

This white paper is an excellent and very interesting read. In the conclusion, the writers state that the First Amendment protects search engine search results because they speak to users of the internet, so to speak. The conclusion states:

“In this respect, they are analogous to newspapers and book publishers that convey a wide range of information from news stories and selected columns by outside contributors to stock listings, movie listings, bestseller lists, and restaurant guides. And all of these speakers are shielded by the First Amendment, which blocks the government from dictating what is presented by the speakers or the manner in which it is presented.”

Jim Vassallo: Jim is a freelance writer based out of the suburbs of Philadelphia in New Jersey. Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and minor in Journalism from Rowan University in 2008. While in school he was the Assistant Sports Director at WGLS for two years and the Sports Director for one year. He also covered the football, baseball, softball and both basketball teams for the school newspaper 'The Whit.' Jim lives in New Jersey with his wife Nicole, son Tony and dog Phoebe.

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