As digital powerhouses continue to bring shifts in the global power dynamics, the matter of internet freedom has increasingly become a cause for concern. An alarming similarity has been detected between the levels of internet freedom in two fundamentally disparate nations – one from the West and its Eastern counterpart, China. Despite the stark differences in their political systems, these two nations surprisingly match in their internet freedom scores, according to a recently published report. This raises crucial questions about the influence of government control over the virtual world and its subsequent impacts on human rights.
China is notoriously known for its rigid internet censorship. From large tech companies like Google and Facebook to simple information flows, everything is under the firm grip of the Chinese administration. The infamous Great Firewall of China not only regulates domestic Internet usage but also monitors cross-border data flows and interpersonal communication tools. This streamlines information to favor the government narrative and suppress any anti-establishment sentiment. The extent of this autocracy is such that numerous people are jailed every year for ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ – a vague charge often used to punish online dissent in China.
Similar trends of internet tightening can be now observed in the western country under purview, blatantly resembling the Chinese model. Drawing parallels with Beijing’s cyber initiatives and regulations, this country too is seen deflecting from its traditionally liberal approach towards its cyber operations. Through increasing surveillance, implementation of strict cybersecurity laws, and curtailing free speech, a striking deformity in the democratic setup is seen to be budding. Favorite social media platforms and search engines are being increasingly muscled to make their policies and algorithms subservient to the state, resonating with how China keeps its tech giants on a leash.
Ironically, this harsh approach towards the internet comes under the veil of cyber hygiene and national security. By implementing stringent policies and regulatory frameworks, both governments claim to protect the national and cyber interests of their citizens. However, controversies arise as this involves compromising several human rights, freedom of speech being the most critical one.
While battling disinformation and reinforcing national cyber infrastructure is crucial, the lack of a clear boundary is problematic. There is an urgent need to draw a line distinguishing between general public safety and gross invasion of privacy. The scrutiny of personal user data often ends up being a tool of oppression, stifling voices that dare to challenge norms.
The escalating government control over the internet also raises the issue of inequitable digital access. With decision-making power concentrated in the hands of a few government