Conference Group 2: Attempts by Government(s) to Control the Internet

Group Members:

• Sofia Benza Lezcano
• Jorge Ribeiro
• Adam Formby
• Matthew Mann
• Lin Li

Topic Overview:
We talked quite a bit on the virtual seminar about attempts by governments (be it in the UK or elsewhere) to regulate, censor and even block the internet. There are concerns here about freedom and privacy, but also perhaps legitimate areas of state activity where control is a response to specific dangers identified by the government. Group 2 will examine the ways in which governments have and do try to control the internet and offer thought on when and where this is right and wrong.

Useful Links

• Guardian: Nato says cyber warfare poses as great a threat as a missile attack
• Guardian: Behind the Great Firewall
• Wired: Cable Cut Fear Grips the Web
• Dizzy Thinks: Department of Health banned by Wikipedia for editing
• TechCrunch: Chinese Blogger Beaten to Death by Government Officials
• BBC: Pakistan Blocks YouTube Website
• BBC: Jail for Fake Facebook Moroccan
• BBC: Australia Plans Tough New Web Rules