ICTlogy

Abstract:

As internet and mobile phone use explodes worldwide, governments are adopting new and multiple means for controlling these technologies that go far beyond technical filtering. Freedom on the Net provides a comprehensive look at these emerging tactics, raising concern over trends such as the "outsourcing of censorship" to private companies, the use of surveillance and the manipulation of online conversations by undercover agents. The study covers both repressive countries such as China and Iran and democratic ones such as India and the United Kingdom, finding some degree of internet censorship and control in all 15 nations studied.

Observations:

Key findings:

• Expanding forms of censorship
• Privatization of censorship
• Lack of transparency and accountability
• Legal threats
• Technical attacks
• Poverty not a barrier to new media freedom
• Growing civic activism
• Internet freedom greater than press freedom