World Day Against Cyber Censorship 2023: Date, History, Facts

On March 12, the World Day Against Cyber Censorship is observed. Cyber censorship inhibits or restricts internet access, communication, and access to specific information. Governments claim they do this for security reasons, but it is frequently a method of repressing dissent through censorship and denial of citizens’ rights to free expression, association, and mobilisation. Internet is a potent instrument for journalism, awareness, and activism. It rapidly disseminates information and instantly connects millions of people around the globe. We must safeguard internet freedom.

The background of World Day Against Cyber Censorship

Internet censorship is a relatively recent phenomenon. The Communications Decency Act, enacted by the U.S. government in 1996, made it illegal to publish “patently offensive” or “indecent” content on the internet. The preponderance of the Act was ruled unconstitutional, but Section 230 was upheld. Section 230 reduced the liability of social media platforms, internet providers, and other intermediaries for their users’ access or sharing. Two years later, the United States enacted the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (D.M.C.A), which criminalises the distribution of technology that circumvents copyright protection. Critics have long argued that the D.M.C.A. restricts free speech and the appropriate use of copyrighted materials. It restricts technological innovation and scientific research is a further argument.

In 1998, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security introduced the ‘Golden Shield’ initiative, which restricted citizens’ access to content deemed disruptive to national leadership. The Golden Shield evolved into the so-called “Great Firewall of China,” widely regarded as the most comprehensive online censorship programme. In 1999, online specifications for the first Virtual Private Network were published. Internet users are now able to access private networks via public networks. V.P.N.s were initially used by businesses to share personal services with auxiliary employees and offices, but they quickly gained popularity among individuals attempting to circumvent online censorship and geo-restriction.

By 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States had adopted a “net neutrality” order that designated ISPs as “common carriers” and prohibited discriminatory throttling and blocking. The 2016 challenge to the Net Neutrality order failed, but the F.C.C. repealed the order in 2017. In the same year, China began restricting V.P.N. services, making it more difficult for activists, researchers, students, and businesspeople to circumvent the Great Firewall. Global cybercensorship has increased in recent years. It is unlikely that the debate surrounding it will end soon.

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5 ESSENTIAL FACTORS Concerning Cybercensorship

Every day, 1.72 billion individuals are affected by internet censorship.

30 of the 46 countries in Asia have restricted access to social media.

In Australia and Oceania, no social media prohibitions have been documented.

One in three nations report systemic restrictions on social media.

China is regarded as the country with the least internet freedom; independent journalists, activists, and online dissidents face harsh prison sentences.

WORLD DAY AGAINST CYBER CENSORSHIP DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	March 12	Sunday
2024	March 12	Tuesday
2025	March 12	Wednesday
2026	March 12	Thursday
2027	March 12	Friday