Human Rights and Internet Censorship: A Global Problem

Nart Villeneuve, an important member of the Internet Freedom-Fighters Geek Squad, has a new article out in the Internet journal First Monday titled The filtering matrix: Integrated mechanisms of information control and the demarcation of borders in cyberspace.  It is an excellent global overview of the human rights implications of internet censorship, and how Western technology firms are contributing to the problem. I am a huge Nart fan. If you are a journalist reading this and want to really understand how all this stuff works, talk to him. Here is the article abstract (emphasis added):

Increasingly, states are adopting practices aimed at regulating and controlling the Internet as it passes through their borders. Seeking to assert information sovereignty over their cyber–territory, governments are implementing Internet content filtering technology at the national level. The implementation of national filtering is most often conducted in secrecy and lacks openness, transparency, and accountability. Policy–makers are seemingly unaware of significant unintended consequences, such as the blocking of content that was never intended to be blocked. Once a national filtering system is in place, governments may be tempted to use it as a tool of political censorship or as a technological “quick fix” to problems that stem from larger social and political issues. As non–transparent filtering practices meld into forms of censorship the effect on democratic practices and the open character of the Internet are discernible. States are increasingly using Internet filtering to control the environment of political speech in fundamental opposition to civil liberties, freedom of speech, and free expression. The consequences of political filtering directly impact democratic practices and can be considered a violation of human rights.

And it can happen anywhere. Yes, anywhere. Read the whole article.  On corporate responsibility, few  key quotes:

In effect, the manufacturers of filtering software are determining what Internet content citizens of entire countries have access to. Not only do these companies often make mistakes, but their selection process is not open to peer review and scrutiny.

and..

Countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tunisia, Yemen and Sudan all use commercial filtering products developed by U.S. corporations.

and..

In effect, U.S. corporations are in a position to determine what millions of citizens can and cannot view on the Internet.

As for non-transparent behavior by governments:

Most filtering regimes are implemented as a result of vague laws which are open to arbitrary interpretation, ministerial decrees, or obscure “national security” channels.

We are not just talking about countries with governments that were not democratically elected. He says: "India’s Internet filtering regime appears to operate by decree."  And while "South Korea’s Internet filtering came as a result of order by the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC)... There appear to be no explicit laws requiring the use of filtering."

What's worse, internet filtering doesn't stop terrorist communication or cyberterrorism anyway.  Nart concludes:

Filtering is not a communications disruption tool. It does not disrupt terrorists’ use of the Internet. It does not protect against cyberterrorism.

National filtering is implemented to impose information control on populations within a given geographic space. There are significant transparency and accountability concerns regarding the decision to implement Internet filtering and the selection of targeted content. Often, those implementing filtering are unaware of the consequences that the mechanism of filtering can have. While easily circumvented, Internet filtering inflicts “collateral damage” that represents a significant threat to transparent and democratic practices.

I don't know about you, but it makes me sick that U.S. companies are contributing to that threat.

Comments

[melissa_cookingdiva]

Hola Rebecca! I have heard so many stories retaled to this subject. The perfect example happened last year to a blogger in Venezuela. He had to shut down his blog because of the constant threats to him and his family. It was horrible.
Hugs,
M

[shad0cat]

Help end internet censorship. If you like to make videos and are against internet censorship If you make videos and want to help end internet censorship www.infowars.com and www.prisonplanet.com are running a contest for cash prizes. The goal is to get the word out and expose internet censorship and the comming internet 2 that will be the end of the internet as we know it. Don't let our internet die!

details are here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_8qaGMQJdY
nsorship