Module 6: Internet Freedom

The internet is very important as our public space because it provides up to date information on a consistent basis. Having the internet means having knowledge about what goes on around us on a daily basis. The internet provides information, news, media, visuals, audio, etc. which allows we “the people” to be selective about what we choose to learn and know.

It sounds like the government wants to get their hands on everything. I believe threats to private information such as wikileaks (Run by Julian Assange) are the major motivation for internet freedom. To my opinion internet freedom involves limited government regulation and control. Private information being exposed is something that all people and institutions face; therefore the consequences are parallel. People or entities that use the internet for illegal tactics and crime place themselves at risk for disciplinary action anyway. Uprisings such as in Tunisia and Egypt can be initiated by other means as well. This event is just being used by the government as an example as to why more control and money should be invested in network security. What the U.S. government is promoting is not internet freedom; but internet control.

I honestly think internet freedom serves another purpose that is beyond the safety of internet users. I feel that there are other initiatives rather using $25 million dollars towards internet freedom. The government has access to the internet just as anyone else and should create cheaper ways to monitor the information being shared in new media versus setting restriction and control over the internet.

Social Media has been beneficial to activist lately; therefore is causing worldwide attention and threat to politics and government. Internet freedom is based off the success of Social Media at it’s worse. Unfortunately.