Is the Internet Really Free? Censorship & Control Explained

The Illusion of a Truly Open Internet

Within any nation founded on the principles of freedom and democracy, citizens rightfully value unrestricted access to information. This principle has been secured through considerable effort in numerous countries, and is deeply cherished within the United States.

Despite this, the widely held belief that the Internet is entirely free – a completely unrestricted platform for diverse perspectives – is, in reality, a misconception.

The Early Promise of the Information Superhighway

The initial vision was admirable. Early Internet pioneers, many of whom were technically skilled enthusiasts, enthusiastically welcomed the emergence of this “Information Super Highway.”

It represented a novel landscape where individuals could disseminate their ideas and viewpoints on any subject, reaching a global audience. The expectation was that the Internet would dismantle existing barriers and foster open communication.

The Gradual Introduction of Restrictions

Initially, the Internet largely fulfilled this promise. However, over time, elements of censorship have progressively infiltrated the online environment.

A common assumption is that the Internet provides unrestricted, two-way access to information. Yet, regardless of location – be it the workplace, educational institutions, private residences, or public libraries – there are entities actively attempting to control the information individuals can access during online searches.

Access control is becoming increasingly prevalent, challenging the notion of a truly open web.

This control manifests in various forms, impacting the free flow of information and raising concerns about the future of online freedom.

Understanding Internet Censorship

The extent of Internet censorship is a frequently discussed topic, particularly concerning the Great Firewall of China. Many articles explore methods for circumventing these restrictions, such as checking website accessibility in China or utilizing apps designed to bypass censorship.

However, the question arises: is truly unrestricted Internet access a reality anywhere? The need for guides on accessing blocked websites and overcoming restrictions like the Pirate Bay block suggests otherwise.

This article will detail the four primary methods of Internet censorship and identify the entities responsible for implementing them.

Legal Pressure and Online Content

A largely unseen process impacts the information available through web searches. It involves legal actions influencing what content remains accessible.

I once received a legal threat, a common experience for website operators covering sensitive subjects. Despite meticulous evidence gathering and factual reporting, disagreements inevitably arise.

The prospect of costly legal battles often leads smaller website owners to comply with these threats, fearing financial ruin.

Corporations leverage these threats, spending relatively small amounts to dispatch legal letters – essentially a form of corporate intimidation – to compel the removal of unfavorable information. This demonstrates how legal means are used to censor the Internet.

National Firewalls and Governmental Control

Unfortunately, universal access to the Internet is not a global standard. Numerous governments block websites deemed “inappropriate” by their standards.

My focus has often been on China’s censorship practices, due to the overt blocking of content critical of the Communist government, especially content originating from Chinese citizens.

To understand the global landscape of Internet censorship, I consulted Wikipedia, Techdirt, and the Guardian. These sources identify the following ten countries as having the most restrictive Internet policies. (1) (2) (3)

China
Iran
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Burma (Myanmar)
Bahrain
Vietnam
Yemen
Syria
Sudan

Notably, countries like the United States, Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom show no evidence of government-imposed Internet censorship.

However, India exhibits selective filtering, Italy and South Korea practice selective social filtering, and Mexico engages in selective filtering related to “conflict/security” issues.

Censorship in Educational and Workplace Environments

The stance of MUO writers on Internet censorship is clear, as evidenced by articles offering solutions to bypass school or work firewalls and unblock specific web pages.

The criteria for determining “inappropriate” websites in these settings are often subjective. At a previous job, I discovered a left-wing activist website blocked and labeled as “hate” speech.

Similarly, a website with viewpoints comparable to Rush Limbaugh was categorized as “extremist”.

These filtering rules appeared to reflect the personal biases of the firewall administrator rather than a genuine effort to prevent time-wasting. Nevertheless, utilizing someone else’s network bandwidth implies accepting their censorship policies.

The Role of ISPs in Potential Censorship

This form of censorship is the most recent and concerning tactic employed by corporations to exert control over the Internet.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Verizon and Comcast are considering offering preferential bandwidth treatment – faster loading speeds – to websites that pay for this privilege.

In the United States, the FCC has been actively defending “Net Neutrality” in court, a principle requiring ISPs to treat all Internet traffic equally, regardless of its origin or destination.

Some ISPs claim “editorial discretion” to prioritize certain content over others. This could create a system where websites that can afford to pay receive greater visibility, effectively censoring those that cannot.

The FCC argues that ISPs should function as conduits, similar to electricity or phone service providers, rather than acting as editors. (4)

While citizens in countries like China and Iran face direct government censorship, those in ostensibly “free” nations may encounter a more insidious threat: censorship by the corporations controlling Internet access.

Freedom of information is a vital issue for us at MUO. We encourage you to share your experiences. What does censorship look like in your country and workplace? Please share your thoughts in the comments below, if permitted.

References: Techdirt, Guardian, Wikipedia, Save The Internet [Broken URL Removed]

Image Credits: Jose Gil / Shutterstock.com, Censored Via Shutterstock, Film Reel Via Shutterstock, Escape From Glass Via Shutterstock Censored Via Shutterstock