Surveillance, Control, and Privacy on the Internet: Challenges to Democratic Communication

The Internet represents a medium for both liberty and control and the Internet is assumed to have an inherent democratic nature and be a force for democracy. However, undemocratic uses of the Internet exist as well, even by democratic regimes of the West. The Internet can be used as a tool of control and dominance; it can increase government power, enhancing government ability to monitor its citizens and potentially control individuals. This article examines national security and individual’s privacy from U.S. government surveillance, in the context of the Internet post September 11, 2001. However, government control of the Internet is not simply a response to or a result of the terrorist attacks of 9/11; the U.S. government has always tried to increase its control over information and technology. The article documents several examples of attempts to control the Internet and communications prior to 9/11 and argues that the events of 9/11 provided the justification necessary to enact legislation to broaden surveillance powers. The article then discusses how surveillance technologies work and examines the key actors involved in surveillance.