Apple ultimately took the right step to safeguard user privacy, security, and free speech by scrapping a controversial plan to scan users’ iCloud accounts to flag content (such photos sent over iMessage) that may be abusive or exploitative. The initial announcement had been met with widespread criticism, with over 90 civil rights and policy groups and security experts condemning the mechanism as a problematic surveillance technology that would undermine the privacy and security of Apple customers. After this extensive public backlash, Apple put its plan on hold and then announced in 2022 that it would not move forward. The company committed to finding other ways to help prevent child sexual abuse material while preserving its users right to privacy and free speech.

When Twitter received a subpoena from Pennsylvania prosecutors seeking the identities of the users, it notified the users and gave them a chance to object rather than immediately complying with the demand. The demand was withdrawn after the incident received substantial press coverage and the ACLU intervened. Twitter emerged as one of the heroes of the story for giving its users an opportunity to defend their anonymity.

Google stood up for the anonymous speech rights of its users when a wealthy pharmaceutical tycoon tried to use a foreign relations law to unmask an anonymous, American Gmail user who had sent critical emails. Google filed a motion to quash arguing that American speakers, like Doe, are protected by the First Amendment, which protects the right to speak anonymously and to criticize others. The tycoon retreated and withdrew his subpoena.