Online Filtering Policies Around the World

Introduction

In this chapter, the authors begin by providing definitions about the basic terms in use and then proceed with an introduction to the global phenomenon of Internet regulation In the next section, the development of online censorship is being presented, while in later the need for Internet regulation is discussed, along with the role that Internet users can actually play.

This chapter provides a brief history of Internet Regulation Systems (IRSs) around the world, while in the next section the authors examine the technical aspects of accessing the Internet today and in previous years. Moreover, the reasons that initiate Internet regulation policies are being reviewed.

For the first time, the authors present and compare two contradictory kinds of IRSs: Open vs Silent IRSs. The authors further focus on the UK's paradigm (as the first massive IRS that was implemented in a Western democracy), they examine and compare transparent and non-transparent systems they present opinions around the world about why silent IRSs are dangerous for the freedom of speechand how the UK's IRS might become an example for similar systems in the rest of the Western democracies.

Last, the authors explain how existing IRSs can be used as a guide in an effort to design and present a blueprint for a Fair IRS.