II. Legal and regulatory framework
In a recent trend, many governments have sought to shift the burden of censorship to private companies and individuals by pressing them to remove content, often resorting to direct blocking only when those measures fail. Local companies are especially vulnerable to the whims of law enforcement agencies and a recent proliferation of repressive laws.
Surveillance has been on the rise globally, despite the uproar that followed the revelation of mass data collection by the U.S. National Security Agency in 2013. Several democratic countries, including France and Australia, passed new measures authorizing sweeping surveillance, prompted in part by domestic terrorism concerns and the expansion of the Islamic State militant group. Bans on encryption and anonymity tools are becoming more common, with governments seeking access to encryption backdoors that could threaten digital security for everyone. Evidence that governments with poor human rights records are purchasing surveillance and malware technologies from Western companies like Hacking Team has fueled suspicions that these tools are being used to crack down on political dissidents.
Nevertheless, activists, advocacy groups, and journalists have pushed back against deteriorating conditions for global internet freedom. In more repressive settings where the potential for legislative change is limited, activists have had some success in using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to hold government officials accountable for abuses. For more information on legal and regulatory frameworks: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/17session/a.hrc.17.27_en.pdf.
Surveillance has been on the rise globally, despite the uproar that followed the revelation of mass data collection by the U.S. National Security Agency in 2013. Several democratic countries, including France and Australia, passed new measures authorizing sweeping surveillance, prompted in part by domestic terrorism concerns and the expansion of the Islamic State militant group. Bans on encryption and anonymity tools are becoming more common, with governments seeking access to encryption backdoors that could threaten digital security for everyone. Evidence that governments with poor human rights records are purchasing surveillance and malware technologies from Western companies like Hacking Team has fueled suspicions that these tools are being used to crack down on political dissidents.
Nevertheless, activists, advocacy groups, and journalists have pushed back against deteriorating conditions for global internet freedom. In more repressive settings where the potential for legislative change is limited, activists have had some success in using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to hold government officials accountable for abuses. For more information on legal and regulatory frameworks: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/17session/a.hrc.17.27_en.pdf.
- How are trends in legal and regulatory frameworks affecting youth?
- How are youth organizations and young people faring in Asia and the Pacific?