For tyrants and dissidents alike, the Covid Crisis was a defining moment in the history of censorship. Top-down information control leapt out of the shadows into an overt campaign of propaganda, suppression and manipulation. One of the defining aspects of the crisis is that it exemplified an arms race between those who want complete top-down control, and those who would dare to seek their own path.
Despite the best efforts of Big Tech corporations, governments and NGOs, people who took a stand against creeping totalitarianism were able to meet, organize, and share information. Tenuous alliances were formed, dissidents from all walks of life made new allies, forging bonds with people they wouldn’t have otherwise known.
From the Technocracy’s point of view: this is a colossal mistake that must be corrected. The dual nature of the Internet as a tool to track people, as well as allow them to share information; is starting to become untenable to the technocracy.
Of course, they could try shutting down the Internet, and starting something completely different. Instead of going for something so rash, we are currently witnessing a massive legislative push to grab immense power over people’s digital lives.
For now, the primary objectives are to take control of:
Ranking algorithms
We have all witnessed the incredible power of a majority of people getting their information from a small set of highly curated sources. Previously in the domain of corporations, the technocracy aims to put algorithms in control of either governments, or public-private partnerships.
Personal communications
Without the hindrance of a state and corporate backed censorship board, people can speak freely with each other if they choose. People’s own personal networks are a viable channel for dissent. Unable to leverage interpersonal trust, the technocracy has to nudge people to self-censor to their closest contacts.
Anonymity
The ability for people to submit information to the public record without retaliation only really works in the people’s favour. Requiring some form of Digital ID to use services or access information is a vital requirement to taking control of cyberspace.
Information
“Cybersecurity” is far more broad than merely protecting against computer viruses and data breaches. The censorship industrial complex treats counter-narratives as security concerns.
The Legislation
UN Cybercrime Treaty
Link: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/cybercrime/ad_hoc_committee/home
Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes
That’s quite a mouthful, isn’t it? The EFF has a helpful breakdown. The cybercrime treaty includes:
- Restrictions on Free speech
- Expanded surveillance
- Sharing your information with other governments
- Compelled assistance in reducing security
Five ways the draft U.N. Cybercrime Treaty undermines your rights
United States: Restrict Act
Link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/686
Erroneously known as the “Tiktok ban” the restrict act has been called the “Patriot Act 2.0”. It proposes steep penalties and harsh sanctions on anyone using, or supporting, digital infrastructure deemed a threat to national security.
The RESTRICT Act Is a Threat to Digital Freedom
Europe: Chat Control
The game-changer in the ChatControl proposal is client-side scanning, entirely by-passing end-to-end encryption. The stated objective is to
#StopScanningMe: How to actually protect children online
Canada
C-11
Link: https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/en/bill/44-1/c-11
In the name of preserving Canadian content, C-11 aims to give more control to the CRTC. This is a broad overview of Canadian internet regulations. A highly contested part of the legislation is regulations on user content.
What Is Canada’s Dystopian “Online Streaming Act”?
C-26
Link: https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/en/bill/44-1/c-26
A great deal of commentary of C-26 includes the phrase cybersecurity is national security. This bill is Canada’s revamp of cybersecurity legislation.
Learn more: https://fournier.substack.com/p/digital-surveillance-in-canada-2023
The truth is that this is a coordinated campaign that goes beyond even the technological impacts. One of the biggest challenges is that governments are stepping in to resolve problems created by corporate digital systems. While in some cases it may seem necessary, these bills take a sledgehammer to civil rights in the name of fighting real problems.
It is not enough to merely disengage and try to adapt to these excesses. People must work together to take control of their own computing, then enforce our natural rights.The best way to truly oppose this wave of totalitarianism is to take on the responsibility yourself of making changes in your life.
