The internet acts as an information superhighway and can give people access to any information they want with the click of a button. For many users, the internet is a limitless source of data for answering all of their questions. However, according to Freedom House, 67 percent of all internet users live in locations where criticism of the ruling government is censored. This is known as internet censorship.
Internet censorship is used to describe an instance when the information accessed online is being controlled or suppressed. In most cases, this means users are limited to what they can view, access, publish, and search. Certain countries use internet censorship to control the flow of information to citizens as well as direct the narrative of news stories.
One country that doesn’t censor the internet is the United Kingdom. Access to the internet is widely available and information can be hosted on servers within the UK itself, such as Surfshark.
Below are three countries currently restricting the flow of information on the internet as well as the censorship methods they use.
- North Korea
North Korea is known for having one of the most strict and repressive regimes in the world. Internet access is limited to the political elite with a restricted intranet version available to a few institutions and libraries. Even the content available through these restricted platforms is infused with North Korea propaganda. Restricting the internet is just one of North Korea’s many censorship methods. The government also controls the narrative coming from the press and even radio signals are blocked to prevent people from sharing or accessing information from outside the country.
- China
People are allowed to access the internet in China but many common websites are still restricted. For instance, users cannot use Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter, to name a few. In place of these popular social media sites, China has its own platforms which it uses to restrict the flow of information to its citizens. In 2019, China was considered the world’s worst abuser of internet freedoms for the fourth year in a row, according to Freedom House.
- Vietnam
Vietnam’s internet restrictions have often been compared to the measures taken by China. Politically sensitive information, government criticisms, and violet content are all censored under Vietnam law. Social media, in particular, has been restricted in the last few years by new laws. Vietnam regulations required global tech firms to store user data in the country and have also forced certain sites like Facebook to remove content offensive to the government.
3 measures to bypass internet censorship
- VPNs
People have been taking action against internet restrictions in a variety of ways. Freedom to access information and technology have caused people to find alternative options for accessing information. One viable solution for bypassing censorship is using VPNs. Virtual private networks allow users to create a secure connection to another network through the internet. The purpose of a VPN is to give you secure online privacy and anonymity when searching for information online so that your actions are untraceable. This is particularly helpful in countries with high censorship laws because in some places, like China, North Korea, and Vietnam, you can actually be arrested or questioned based on the information you’ve been looking up online.
- DNS
A DNS server is another viable option for accessing restricted sites, although it’s not as secure or private as a VPN. A DNS server will reroute your location when you’re accessing restricted sites, however, it does not hide your IP address or encrypt your data. If you’re in a country that can prosecute based on sites you visit, this option comes with a much higher risk.
- TOR
Another option for getting around internet restrictions is to use the TOR network. When you browse the web using the TOR network, your data is filtered through thousands of serves around the world so your information is encrypted and difficult to track. This process makes it difficult to determine where you’re located, which can be particularly helpful for journalists and activists working in strict countries.
Conclusion
Access to information is an incredibly important freedom that should not be restricted by government entities. VPNs, DNS servers, and the TOR network can all help you circumnavigate the restrictions placed on data in the country where you live or while you’re traveling abroad. You should have at least one of these methods available in case you run into restrictions, whether you’re a journalist, activist, or citizen. Access to information is your right and you should use whatever tools necessary to avoid internet censorship rules and broaden your access to important data.
