by Michelle Wilkinson

Created on: April 01, 2009   Last Updated: September 08, 2011

What makes the internet such a successful invention is the fact that it allows information to be transmitted extremely quickly to anywhere in the world, allowing ordinary individuals to share and access information in a more convenient way than in the past. Initially, most international governments were slow to recognise the impact that the internet would have and how influential it would become in mobilising people into action. They are now trying to address the situation, and claw back some level of control, by increasing surveillance of people's internet habits under the guise of tackling the threat of terrorism'. In reality, though, such activities appear to suggest the introduction of censorship through stealth.

Ordinary citizens want to feel safe when they step outside the door and when they spend time online. They want to know that law enforcement operatives are working to protect them and have their best interests in mind when they act. That is why politicians like to use these protectors' as a shield for their own cynical activities. It is not unusual for politicians to make great claims about the threat which terrorists pose to countries throughout the world and to reassure their own populations that they are doing all within their power to track down any potential terrorists and prevent terrorist activity.

They then use the fact that a tiny minority of people are choosing to use the internet to recruit and train terrorists, and to plan terrorist attacks, to justify keeping records of everybody's internet activity. The British government seems continually to be dreaming up new ways of keeping an eye on its citizens. When it comes to the internet this means that in future details of every telephone call made and email sent will be kept on record. There have also been calls for social networking sites to be monitored by making them keep details of users' contacts.

It seems that Britain is taking a leaf out of China's book. China is governed by a repressive regime which does not tolerate freedom of speech or expression. This is reflected in their control over internet use, with websites deemed as inappropriate being banned and made inaccessible to ordinary web users. Individuals' internet habits are monitored by the internet police, and anybody found to be engaging in activity regarded as inappropriate by Chinese authorities could end up in prison. This extends far beyond terrorist activity, and can include individuals simply contacting individuals committed to reform based outside of the country.

The internet could easily be destroyed by censorship if there were not so many individuals determined to prevent governments from trampling on everybody's civil liberties, ostensibly to safeguard the right of ordinary citizens to remain safe from terrorism and other criminal activity. Monitoring internet activity is one step away from dictating which material is appropriate and which is not, though, and then taking action to make others comply. As long as people are prepared to continue challenging decisions made by their politicians, it becomes harder for governments to justify their encroachment upon the right of individuals to express themselves online or indeed anywhere else.


References
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7962631.stm

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