{"id":22052,"date":"2014-09-12T23:01:44","date_gmt":"2014-09-12T15:01:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/?p=22052"},"modified":"2023-04-06T19:21:18","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T11:21:18","slug":"internet-freedom-threatened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/internet-freedom-threatened\/","title":{"rendered":"Threats to Internet Freedom: What Happens Next?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Internet freedom is something that we value<\/strong> but take for granted on a day-to-day basis. So when the government or corporations try to limit it in some way or another<\/a>, everyone sits up and pays attention. It was why some of your favorite websites recently on September 10th, 2014 displayed the dreaded loading sign as a GIF or some pop-up message that looks like this:<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry, the Internet didn\u2019t slow down. Technically. But it would definitely be irritating<\/strong> if your cat videos took longer to load because of some policy that benefits Internet providers, right?<\/p>\n

This online protest wasn\u2019t the first one of its kind though. There were similar online protests<\/a> that took place when our freedom to browse the World Wide Web was at risk. And of course we would protest! We have heard enough horror stories about Iran blocking Twitter and China monitoring their own sanctioned social media. Therefore, here we\u2019ve put together 4 major online protests in the name of Internet freedom<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Recommended Reading:<\/strong> SOPA: Scaring Or Securing The Internet Users?<\/a><\/p>\n

Internet Slowdown Day<\/h3>\n

We\u2019ll start off with the one that\u2019s currently making headlines: The purpose of the protest is to educate people on net neutrality<\/strong>, why it is in danger as well as telling the government why it matters. Known as Internet Slowdown Day, sites<\/a> employed loading GIFs and pop-up messages<\/a> to simulate what would happened if net neutrality is done away with.<\/p>\n

Basically net neutrality is the only thing keeping Internet providers from charging extra for certain websites to load at normal speed<\/strong>. But the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering changing that. By doing away with net neutrality, you can say that the Internet would be divided into 2 lanes: a fast lane which is only accessible to those who can pay and a slow lane for everyone else.<\/p>\n

If the rate of your Internet loading time doesn\u2019t concern you, consider this<\/a>: Are you able to pay extra for the same Internet speed you are using today<\/strong> on top of daily expenses in today\u2019s economy? The protest is not over as September 15 is the last day for final comments on the act and a rally<\/a>.<\/p>\n

via Battle For The Net<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Internet Blackout Day<\/h3>\n

This was a popular one back in 2012, as everyone couldn\u2019t access their favorite sites for information. On January 18, 2012, major sites such as Reddit and Wikipedia either blacked out their content or closed down<\/strong> in protest<\/a> of 2 proposed laws by the US Congress; Stop Online Piracy Act<\/a> (SOPA) and Protect IP Act<\/a> (PIPA).<\/p>\n

The acts were introduced as a way to combat online copyright infringement and the distribution of counterfeit goods. While it had good intentions, it threatened to rid the whole web of chunks of information and user-created content<\/strong> due to the acts\u2019 broad wording.<\/p>\n

The whole world paid attention when the blackout protest came into affect<\/strong>. As many sites are based in the US, users from the other end of the earth will lose out as well should the acts get passed. And do you know how frustrating it is to Wiki something but not have that information because it was blacked out? (see image below). The protest was a success as the acts were repealed.<\/p>\n

\"wikiblackout\"
via Wikipedia<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Protests against ACTA<\/h3>\n

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement<\/a> (ACTA) was considered Europe\u2019s version of SOPA and PIPA<\/strong>. It had already been drafted in 2010 and signed in 2011 but has yet to take effect. Besides the European Union, signatories also include the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea.<\/p>\n

ACTA only gained worldwide awareness after the SOPA and PIPA protests. European citizens were outraged when they found out that the act was negotiated in secret<\/strong>. DDoS attacks shut down government websites, online petitions were circulated and signed, and people all over Europe marched the streets<\/a> on February 11 and June 9.<\/p>\n

Public outcry was effective and on July 4, Members of the European rejected the treaty<\/a> by a staggering 478 votes to 39 votes.<\/p>\n

\"actaprotests\"
via Wikimedia<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Restore The Fourth<\/h3>\n

Internet freedom includes the right to online privacy, which is what Restore the Fourth<\/a> champions. The campaign came about after Edward Snowden leaked documents detailing how the NSA spied on US citizens<\/strong>. The name was chosen as the organizers, Fight For The Future<\/a>, believed that the NSA\u2019s actions violate the Fourth Amendment<\/a> of the US Constitution and set the protest date to take place on the 4th of July.<\/p>\n

Not only did US citizens come out in droves to rally<\/strong> on Independence Day, prominent websites<\/a> joined in the cause as well. Mozilla led the way with its online petition, Stop Watching Us<\/strong>. Further protests were held in subsequent months with the most prominent being the Stop Watching Us rally<\/a> on October 26, 2013 and online protest The Day We Fight Back<\/a> on February 11, 2014.<\/p>\n

\"restorethe4th\"
via Mashable<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

(Cover photo via Battle For The Net<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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