How Law Shapes Online Speech

Anchor Change with Katie Harbath

In this episode of Anchor Change, I talk with Daphne Keller, Director of Platform Regulation at Stanford and former Google attorney, about how laws shape what we can say—and see—online.

We unpack how evolving regulations influence content moderation, the growing role of AI in shaping speech policies, and the challenges of balancing free expression with safety in a global context. Daphne shares what she’s learned from years at the front lines of platform policy, clarifying common misconceptions and revealing where law, technology, and ethics collide.

This conversation offers a grounded look at the future of online speech—from transparency rules to child safety laws—and how tech companies can navigate these tensions with integrity.

You can find more about Daphne’s work here. Her piece in Lawfare, which we discussed, is titled “The Rise of the Compliant Speech Platform.”

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