Big Brother is watching you

by Dmitri Vitaliev

How did the Internet – a revolution in inclusiveness and understanding – turn into a tool for governments spying on citizens, asks Dmitri Vitaliev.

Imagine teaching Biology to 13-year-olds and realising that the material for this day’s lesson, be it on HIV or contraception, has been blocked by your friendly ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) web content filter as falling into the ‘pornography’ category of its software. In fact, all websites containing the word ‘sex’ get routinely blocked, be they about online escort agencies or anthropology.

Imagine two burly types appearing at your door with questions regarding the email you sent to your overseas friend last week. Yes, you did mention in your message how unhappy you were with the elections in your country, but you clearly remember sending it just to him. How did these guys hear about it? Imagine being exposed in your local newspaper as an admirer of communism, or fascism, or as having bad breath, venereal disease or fondness for marijuana? You had kept these secrets to yourself, merely satisfying your urge for knowledge on the Internet at home. You did not sign up to any mailing lists, did not create any accounts or logins – how did this information get out?

These, and many other scary scenarios, are becoming reality with ever worrying frequency. Not only are people unaware of the dangers they face when using the Internet, they are actively nonchalant to the fact that ALL email they send and the Internet sites they visit are being recorded, and this information is being stored by global corporations and governments for reasons of homeland security, financial benefit etc. Where did it all go wrong? How did the Internet – a revolution in global communication, inclusiveness and understanding – turn into a watchdog ready to pounce on us for a wrong word here, a bit of curiosity there?