Article on Internet Filtering
Nart Villeneuve of the Internet Censorship Explorer has published an article on Internet filtering on First Monday: “The filtering matrix: Integrated mechanisms of information control and the demarcation of borders in cyberspace”.
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.
While none of this is revolutionarily new, it makes interesting reading. He comes to important conclusions:
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.