A worrying report suggests that the government is going all Big Brother on us via the internet. With constant reports of the likes of China censoring Google search results it's clear that some web users are having their privacy and freedom invaded by the state. However, we generally think we're safe from the glare of Downing Street here in the UK but unfortunately online freedom at home is declining at an alarming rate.
Although the UK still offers more online freedom than most countries, according to the study of 37 nations by the UN Freedom House, the UK has slipped since the last report in 2009. Currently the UK comes fifth in the table of 37 countries monitored by the report. Estonia tops the table of internet freedom, while Iran is rated as the most restrictive nation.
Case studies include the conviction of the man who jokingly threatened to blow up Robin Hood airport in Doncaster. The force who controls the internet are known as the IWF (Internet watch foundation) and according to the damaging report "the removal actions are not transparent, the blocking criteria lack clarity, and the internal appeals process is inadequate."
This is a serious issue which can't be ignored. Though web users have to be aware that their online behaviour can have serious ramifications in real life it seems unreasonable for people to be arrested for Twitter jokes and student research. Using web activity as evidence in court is one thing but using internet activity as an excuse to detain otherwise innocent people.
For the UK which claims to be a 'free country' to be coming in at number five seems alarming and things are only going to get worse if the likes of Freedom house don't alert us to what is going on. There’s been news reports today of Chinese hackers who can get credit card details and email passwords of people in an instant. Imagine a world where the government has people like this working for them. That’s if it hasn’t already happened.
What do you think? Do we put safety before privacy?