Increasing dependence on online communication, smart devices, apps, and more mean that our habits and behaviour are easier than ever to track. Our digital footprints can be massive and incredibly valuable to companies, governments–and criminals. This puts us at risk for surveillance, censorship, and loss of privacy. The 2023 Freedom on the Net report demonstrates that global internet freedom has been in a steady state of decline for more than a decade, by such means as internet shutdowns, restricting apps and services, and government overreach.
Keywords
Outcomes
After this session you will be able to:
- Understand the scope of digital surveillance and censorship around the world.
- Explain how privacy and freedom from censorship is essential for digital justice.
- Take steps to limit surveillance and increase your privacy online.
Definitions
Surveillance
Digital surveillance involves monitoring people’s activities and communications using devices or platforms. This includes collecting location data from smartphones, analyzing browsing history and email, and monitoring social media posts. Technologies such as cookies, metadata analysis, and data mining algorithms are commonly used to gather user information. Surveillance may also involve spyware or the interception of digital communication channels. Google likely collects more data on its users than any other Big Tech company, across as many as 40 different categories. (Source: Security.org, a website dedicated to security technology and products founded by Gabe Turner, an attorney and journalist.)
Censorship
Online censorship includes the control or suppression of digital information or the people sharing it. This can be perpetrated by governments or internet service providers. Censorship and related laws differ from country to country. Censorship can include restricting certain platforms or content or taking down content deemed inappropriate or politically sensitive. It can restrict communication rights and hinder the open exchange of ideas in digital spaces. North Korea, China, and Iran have the most restrictive internet, with limited or even no access to Western social media, foreign messaging apps, and virtual private networks (VPNs). (Source: Comparitech, a privately owned company that provides information and tools to help its audience protect their privacy online.)
Privacy
Protecting your privacy online can be challenging. Most digital services and internet-connected devices offer limited options for safeguarding your data.
Online privacy involves protecting sensitive information—such as browsing history, location, and personal messages—from unauthorized access or misuse. However, we often contribute to our own privacy risks. A Pew Research Center study found that only 9% of Americans read privacy statements before clicking “Agree.”
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to enhance your privacy, such as choosing privacy-focused tools and services. (Source: Pew Research Center, a US non-partisan think tank working on a broad range of topics, including many relating to news, media, and communication.)
Smart Tech
Smart Tech are interconnected devices equipped with software to automate tasks, respond to users, and gather data. They can be very convenient and efficient. For example, smart thermostats adjust temperatures automatically and voice-activated virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri can help us with a lot of household tasks. Smart devices are vulnerable to unauthorized access, however, especially when sensitive data is involved. They can also perpetuate inequalities by lowering wages or replacing workers, or excluding people who cannot afford expensive devices and systems. (Source: BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), the United Kingdom’s national public service broadcaster.)
Big Data
Big Data often refers to the vast volume of data generated by people as they go about their online lives. It’s made up of all your digital interactions and transactions, including online posts, purchases, banking transactions, your location, and even home energy consumption. By 2025, the amount of digital data generated globally each year should reach 175 zettabytes. That’s the equivalent of 6.3 billion years of streaming video.
This data is collected and analyzed to predict and influence digital behaviour. While the use of Big Data can drive innovation and improve your online experience, it also increases the risks of discrimination, profiling, and manipulation. The commodification of personal information— sold, stored, and sometimes stolen—can undermine democracy and threaten the autonomy of digital spaces. (Source: “The Digitization of the World from Edge to Core”, an IDC White Paper sponsored by Seagate. IDC is a private provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets.)
Onward
You’re taking on the big issues related to online surveillance, censorship, and privacy. Hopefully you now have a sense of some of the biggest challenges digital justice advocates are facing and you’re ready to go a bit deeper. Click the button below to move on to the next section. There you will learn from some experts in the field from around the world.