When states can restrict access to information, curate exactly what they want their citizens to see, censor critical voices or block the technological tools that can circumvent it, freedoms are weakened. This vision of the free internet is dwindling. This vision was one that would bring us closer together, offering us a new way to communicate, work together, and realize an exciting, expanded global future. It represented an opportunity for anyone, anywhere, to communicate freely, across borders, and free from the shackles of authoritarian regimes and dictatorships. The internet was once synonymous with freedom. Crackdowns on what citizens are allowed to say online become more common, and formerly reliable sources of news and media are censored. What these individuals living in warzones are finding out is that during times of intense political instability, the face of the internet can change dramatically. It didn’t seem possible, but since the invasion, internet freedom has become even more precarious. More and more measures have been introduced to control the internet, with the government actively searching for social media dissidents and following Russian citizens’ every online move. As the war has rolled on, Russian authorities have continued to grow their online surveillance machine in size and scope. When Russia invaded Ukraine, the flow of information to Ukrainians and Russians skeptical or questioning of the war became a flash point. Still, this trend is profoundly worrying. And it’s not surprising that heavy-handed, authoritarian governments are trying to further undermine these rights by imposing ever more stringent rules on internet and VPN use. What this tells us is that the rights of citizens to speak freely and access information is not respected globally. And in some countries, like North Korea, VPNs are illegal altogether. In Russia and Turkey, meanwhile, authorities are actively trying to block access to VPNs where they can. At the same time, these governments are actively trying to suppress the use of VPNs.Ĭhina is one well-known example where citizens have long relied on VPNs to access banned social media accounts and foreign news outlets. We’re increasingly seeing citizens relying on VPNs to get information that their governments are trying to conceal. Unfortunately, these two recent stories are part of a growing pattern. > Our pick of the most secure VPN providers around right now (opens in new tab) > Discover why over half of the world's population suffered internet disruptions in 2022 (opens in new tab) Snowstorm: the bridge to reconnect a splintering web (opens in new tab)
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