Cybersecurity analysts have highlighted significant concerns over a rising trend of regional internet censorship in China. A recent study presented at the IEEE Symposium reveals that some local authorities, notably in Henan province, are implementing aggressive censorship tactics that far exceed the blocking capabilities of the infamous “Great Firewall”.
Key Points
- Local censorship practices in Henan have blocked “ten times more websites” than the national Great Firewall.
- The Henan firewall deploys simpler and more volatile systems for blocking web content, demonstrating aggressive censorship methods.
- Research identified millions of domains that were accessible through the central firewall but blocked at the local level, impacting business-related sites disproportionately.
- Local censorship in Henan is linked to past financial scandals and recent protests, suggesting that governance is tightening control over regional content.
- This trend indicates a significant shift towards local-level control of internet content, diverging from the previously centralised censorship model.
Why should I read this?
If you care about digital freedom and the implications of censorship, this article is essential reading. The shift towards local censorship in China not only affects access to information but could also serve as a model for censorship practices in other countries. Stay informed about these developments that undermine internet freedom.
