Internet Surveillance and Free Speech: the United Nations Makes the Connection

Not since the words of Commissioner Pravin Lal has someone from the U.N. conveyed the importance of digital freedom so well.

"As the Americans learned so painfully in Earth's final century, free flow of information is the only safeguard against tyranny. The once-chained people whose leaders at last lose their grip on information flow will soon burst with freedom and vitality, but the free nation gradually constricting its grip on public discourse has begun its rapid slide into despotism. Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master."

If people are afraid of being overheard, they'll modify their statements. Think about out of context quotes, and how they are used to attack politicians. If the government sucks up all the communications & saves them (which they do in the US), then they have dirt of everyone. It definitely stifles freedom of expression. That might not be an accident.

The official UN report that the article links to is actually a very interesting read (I'm about 1/4 through). It feels like these issues are finally getting formalized.

Speaking from the perspective of the nation-state power structure, "This is a bad thing ... how?"

EDIT: To clarify, I'm not advocating this. I'm saying that the UN pointing out that surveillance correlates negatively with freedom of speech is not something most nation states give two shits about — specifically including many of those that talk a very good game about freedom of speech — and many of them probably think it's a good thing.

Good. Just in time for this:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/06/05/us-saudi-viber-idUK...

So what is UN going to do about it? Also, what are they going to do about their own ITU branch who's been pushing for the very same thing?