The internet represents a powerful tool in the right hands, as it is by far the fastest means of transmitting information and suppressing the control of ideas and opinions.
However, there are several different ways in which internet censorship is implemented on different servers, and internet restrictions (which is the collective term for the control of what information can be accessed, viewed, published, read, downloaded) can vary from country to country depending on the government model.
In the world, certain countries are notorious for their implementation of censorship, controlling and shaping media output, and silencing the truth on their own accord. Our collective consciousness on the matter should be clear- free internet access, opportunity to view the same content, against government-controlled media, in short equality.
As over 50% of the world, the population is using the internet, to what extent are these restrictions imposed, and in which countries, and how to avoid them, if necessary, are quintessential questions we need to ask. Therefore, in the text below, you’ll find a short guide on how to avoid those restrictions.
Are all restrictions bad?
Some of the countries with the heaviest internet censorship include North Korea, China, Iran, Belarus, Thailand, the UAE, and Cuba. Internet restrictions are not solely the inability to watch or stream a new movie, we are talking about the inability to access important data, global information, and the truth from “outside”, therefore restrictions in these countries are politically oriented and with the purpose of mass control.
There are internet restrictions in developed countries and first-world countries, those are rather there for the prevention of crime, child pornography, the distribution of drugs, and the other issues causing harm to the community. As said before, the internet can be a powerful tool in the right hands, therefore it also can be in the wrong hands.
The ability to express, to think, to exchange important ideas and thoughts globally has always been the main purpose of the internet, but nowadays we are seeing a rise in censorship preventing these principles due to government paranoia rather than anything else.
Censorship and online restrictions should always exist for inappropriate content, disgraceful behavior, prevention of crime, trafficking, and other similar purposes.
How to avoid them?
The most effective means of avoiding online restrictions is using a VPN, and we’ll further explain its use and purpose. VPN essentially stands short for Virtual Private Network and has become quite popular in the last couple of years. It essentially is a service protecting your internet activity, your network, and your address.
This enables the ability of anyone to access your network and steal your identity, information, and has a complete overview of all your internet online activity. VPN servers are allowing the use of open and public WIFI networks without the fear of someone accessing your computer and private information. Some of the best VPN providers out here are NordVPN, Surfshark, and others, offering a guarantee and protection of your private network.
They usually come at a small fee, and you always can get discounts or, for example, Nordvpn coupons to cut down on the costs of having and using the service, therefore making it more than affordable and cheap. How does this help fight censorship? If the restrictions are government imposed and if the censorship is restricting free thought and the truth, the use of VPNs is protecting the identity of the individual, sending false signals to those monitoring and hiding his or her internet footprint.
The idea is simple, the individual is secure, safe, and can avoid any sort of prosecution. It is worth mentioning how VPNs are used not only for avoiding imposed restrictions but also for securing your most sensitive and personal data and preventing identity theft, as people can access your bank accounts, email, and private information when you are downloading something from the internet or using a public Wi-Fi spot.
The other advantage of avoiding restrictions
Not all restrictions are the government monitoring of sensitive materials, some include the inability to watch certain shows and movies on streaming providers such as HBO Go and Netflix as some materials are not allowed in certain countries, and also the access to educational books and video content.
A VPN can allow you to avoid such restrictions by changing your current address and location, therefore, making it possible to view those materials without any problem. It can be a minor thing like watching “ Friends” on British Netflix, even though you are from Serbia, or it can be having access to stand up comedies shows some of which are known to be controversial and not allowed, due to their content, like one episode of Hasan Minhaj’s “ Patriot Act” banned in KSA.
Whether you are trying to access books, shows, or movies, and are not allowed to or cannot, having a VPN server can make it possible.
We sincerely believe in the ability to access educational materials, the truth, freedom, and the circulation of opinions without restriction, therefore there are advantages to the use of VPNs.
