Freedom on the Internet, Essay Example

A number of issues have arises in the risen past about freedom on the internet. With the increasing number of security incidences being reported on a daily basis, individuals are finding it increasingly risky to have their information available online. A number of media presentations have underscored this issue over the years some of which are highlighted below.

A threat to Internet Freedom by The New York Times

This video by the New York Times highlights how the FCCs proposed rules as of July 2014 violate the central concept of Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality ensure that all data or information is treated the same regardless of its original source. However, the very rules proposed by the FCC would seek to create divisions online into fast and slow lanes.

Internet Freedom Shrinks Worldwide

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/internet-freedom-shrinks-worldwide/2550726.html

This article and video highlight the results of a report on freedom on the internet, titled, Freedom of the Net 2014. This report comes from a non-governmental group for democracy and rights, Freedom House. This video highlights how 65 governments have developed and practiced policies pertaining to the availability and access to online content. The video essentially reveals the fact that a number of governments have restricted or limited the information that its citizens can access. Governments deliberately stifle some web pages and other media accessible by their citizens. This video resonates with ideologies held in Morozov’s article Don’t Be Evil. In his article he highlights how cyber pessimists perceive the inherent power that is held by Google, owing to unique nature of the company.

In conclusion, the two videos highlight the inherent risks that are associated with the internet. While the internet is a highway of information, it is considerably precarious with the increasing number of incidences of the security threat it poses. As information gradually becomes the currency of the information age, individuals will seek to gain control of this information.

Questions

1. Do you believe that privacy can be achieved in the internet?
2. Is social media the end of privacy?
3. What role does data mining play in influencing internet security?
4. Do you believe websites should be held accountable for the information of their users?
5. What can you do to protect your information online?

Works Cited

A Threat to Internet Freedom | Op-Docs | The New York Times. Dir. Brian Knappenberger. The New York Times. The New York Times, 2014. 19 June 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PES_mn3Q5_Q>.

Internet Freedom Shrinks Worldwide. Dir. Caty Weaver. 2014. 19 June 2015. <http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/internet-freedom-shrinks-worldwide/2550726.html>.

Morozov, Evgeny. “Don’t Be Evil.” The New Republic (2011): 1-10. Electronic Source.