What is Internet censorship?
[[File:VAE_Websitesperre.png|300px|thumb|The degree of Internet censorship varies between countries]] '''Internet censorship''' is [[censorship]] of the [[internet]]. In some cases, websites censor certain information. In other cases, governments censor entire websites, so nobody in the country can visit them. [[Google]] is known for changing its [[search engine|search results]] to censor information. As more people use the Internet, online censorship has worsened, using increasingly sophisticated techniques. == Around the world == The motives, scope, and effectiveness of Internet censorship vary widely from country to country. Most countries with government-ordered censorship are located in [[east Asia]], [[central Asia]], and the MENA: [[Middle East]] & [[North Africa]]. [[Democracy|Democracies]] typically have moderate censorship, allowing [[Citizenship|citizens]] to access information and participate in public debates, but with some justified restrictions. (For example, a democracy might block websites which show [[child pornography]].) In contrast, [[Totalitarianism|totalitarian]] [[Regime|regimes]] severely limit Internet access. They do this for several reasons: * To control the information people get * To prevent people from seeing content that criticizes the government * To restrict communication * To prevent debates on [[Politics|political]] and social issues (especially during critical events like [[Election|elections]] or protests) [[File:Internet Censorship and Surveillance World Map.svg|right|300px|thumb|<center>'''[[Internet censorship by country|Internet censorship and surveillance by country (2018)]]'''<ref name=FOTN-2018>{{cite web |title=Freedom on the Net 2018 |url=https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FOTN_2018_Final%20Booklet_11_1_2018.pdf |website=Freedom House |date=November 2018 |access-date=1 November 2018 |archive-date=1 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101192951/https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FOTN_2018_Final%20Booklet_11_1_2018.pdf