What is Internet and Digital Freedom?
Basic operation of the internet and concepts
The Internet is a gigantic information and communication network, with billions of devices connected around the world today. The basic operation of the Internet is to exchange data between different devices and to enable this data to be transmitted between computers around the world. The functioning of the Internet is basically based on the following concepts:
Protocols: There are certain rules and protocols used to ensure communication between devices on the Internet. These protocols define operations such as how data packets are transported, how they are routed, and how they are received. One of the most widely used protocols is a combination of Internet Protocol (IP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).
IP Addresses: Each device has a unique identity on the internet and this identity is called the IP address. These addresses ensure that data packets are routed to the correct destination. There are two different types of IP addresses, IPv4 (32-bit) and IPv6 (128-bit).
Domain Name System (DNS): Using IP addresses to identify devices on the Internet can be challenging for people. For this reason, DNS is used, a system that transforms IP addresses into more understandable and memorable domain names. For example, a domain name such as www.example.com is translated into an IP address, allowing the relevant device to be found.
Data Packets: The data sent over the Internet is sent in parts of certain sizes. These pieces of data are called data packets. Data packets travel from source to destination and are combined to form the original data.
Routers and Switches: Routers and switches, which are the building blocks of the Internet, direct data packets to the right destination. Routers route data packets between different networks, while switches ensure that they are forwarded to devices within the same network.
Internet Service Providers (ISP): Internet service providers are needed to connect to the Internet. ISPs provide internet connectivity to users and make it possible to transmit data over the internet.
These basic concepts form the cornerstones of the functioning of the internet. In this way, there is a continuous flow of data between computers, phones, tablets and other devices around the world and widespread use of the internet is possible.
Definition and importance of digital freedom
Digital freedom is the ability of individuals to freely access information on the internet and other digital technologies, express their thoughts, create and publish content, communicate with other people, protect the security of their private data and respect fundamental human rights in the digital environment.
Digital freedom has become more and more important with the spread of the internet and the integration of digital technologies into our lives. This concept fights for the protection of fundamental human rights in the digital world and for the assurance of justice, equality and freedoms in the digital environment. The key components of digital freedom are:
Information Access: Digital freedom guarantees individuals’ open and unhindered access to information. The right to access information over the Internet enables people from different cultures and geographies to share their thoughts, opinions and information.
Freedom of Expression: Every individual has the right to express and share their thoughts in the digital world. The Internet allows users to have their voices heard through blogs, social media, forums and other platforms.
Protection of Private Life and Data: Digital freedom ensures that individuals’ private lives and personal data are secured. Transparency, security and obtaining consent are important in the collection, processing and storage of personal data.
Internet Blocking and Preventing Censorship: Digital freedom opposes censorship and blocking of the Internet. Remaining the Internet as a free and open platform supports the diversity and authenticity of societies.
The importance of digital freedom lies in strengthening democracy, participation and access to information. Individuals with digital freedom are equipped with access to information and can play a more conscious and active role in political, economic and social issues. In addition, the free expression of various ideas supports innovation and creativity and contributes to the development of societies.
However, there are several challenges to protecting and strengthening digital freedom. With the increasing use of the Internet, risks such as personal data security and digital fraud are also increasing. In addition, practices such as censorship and internet blocking in some countries threaten digital freedom. Therefore, legal regulations, ethical standards and public awareness are important for the protection of digital freedom.
Differences Between Open Internet and Closed Internet
Advantages and disadvantages of the open internet
Open internet is a concept that provides an open and unblocked internet experience to everyone. Being free and accessible internet has advantages as well as some disadvantages.
Advantages of Open Internet:
Information Access and Freedom: The open internet ensures that everyone has access to information. Users can easily access the information they want and freely research on different subjects.
Freedom of Expression: The open internet provides an important platform for people to express and share their thoughts. Blogs, social media and forums allow users to freely share their ideas and opinions.
Innovation and Creativity: The open internet encourages the development of creative content and innovative projects. Artists, developers and creative professionals can present their works to a wider audience thanks to digital platforms.
Education and Learning: The open internet provides online education and learning opportunities. Users can improve themselves and gain new skills by taking advantage of free resources.
Community Participation and Democracy: The open internet promotes democratic participation and raises awareness of societies on political and social issues. The Internet offers communities the opportunity to have their voices heard and demand change.
Disadvantages of Open Internet:
Information Reliability and Fraud: The open internet can also provide access to unverified or misleading information. Fake news and fraud can make it difficult for users to find reliable information.
Cyber Attack and Data Security: The open internet increases the risk of cyber attacks and personal data breaches. Malicious people can use the internet for malicious activities and steal users’ data.
Safety of Children and Youth: The open internet can increase the risk that children and young people are exposed to digital dangers. Problems may arise, such as exposure to inappropriate content or online bullying.
Privacy and Tracking: The open internet can lead to users leaving their digital footprints and being tracked. Internet browsers and other services may monitor users’ online behavior and collect personal information.
Internet Blocking and Censorship: The open internet may face censorship or access blocking in some countries. This can restrict individuals’ freedom of access to information and threaten freedom of expression.
Considering the advantages and disadvantages of the open internet, it is important for users to use the internet consciously and safely and to take appropriate measures to protect digital freedom. Digital literacy, security measures, and conscious use of the internet can enable more benefits to be enjoyed while reducing the disadvantages of the open internet.
The dangers and limitations of the closed internet
Closed internet is a situation where governments in some countries or regions control or restrict internet access. Such internet restrictions and control cause users to use the internet in a partially or completely censored way. The dangers and limitations of the closed internet are:
Restriction of Freedom of Expression: The closed internet leads to censorship of thoughts and expressions. Users cannot openly express their thoughts and freely search for information.
Restrictions on Information Access: The closed internet prevents users from accessing certain content or websites. This may cause users to encounter incomplete or incorrect information on certain topics.
Inter-Community Communication Restrictions: The closed internet can restrict communication between different communities and countries. Restricting communication and sharing information can weaken cultural understanding and ties between people.
Influencing Individual and Social Development: The closed internet hinders the development of individuals and societies in the digital world. Access to opportunities in education, entrepreneurship and technology may be restricted.
Human Rights Violations: Closed internet can lead to human rights violations. Censorship can violate freedom of expression and other fundamental human rights.
Social and Economic Losses: Closed internet can negatively affect economic growth and job opportunities. While the open internet facilitates global trade, the closed internet can prevent it.
Blow to Freedom of Expression and News: The closed internet can prevent journalists and media outlets from disseminating news and information. This can pose a serious threat to freedom of information and independent journalism.
The dangers of the closed internet pose a great threat to democracy and freedoms. Providing an open and free internet is of great importance in terms of fairness and equality in access to information, freedom of expression and protection of human rights. However, in some countries, governments may choose to restrict internet access for security and political reasons. It is important that such restrictions be made in a way that respects human rights and that mechanisms to protect freedom of expression are developed.
Internet Neutrality and Its Importance
Internet neutrality concept and meaning
Internet neutrality is the principle of treating all types of data and content the same without differentiating internet traffic by internet service providers (ISPs) with premium speeds or fees. This principle requires ISPs to carry data traffic impartially without discrimination based on content type, source or destination, and to ensure that every user has access to internet service at the same speed and quality.
Internet neutrality ensures that the Internet remains an open and free platform. This means that the internet is equally accessible and usable for all users. Ensuring Internet neutrality is based on the following basic principles:
Impartiality: ISPs carry all types of internet traffic the same and do not prioritize any content or service over another.
No Blocking and Censorship: ISPs are not authorized to block or censor content or services. No special permissions are granted to users or content providers.
Content Provider Independence: ISPs do not differentiate between content providers and do not make exclusive agreements with content providers. ISPs do not carry data traffic at different speeds or charges depending on the content provider.
Equal Access: Internet neutrality ensures that rich and poor, large and small, corporate and individual users have equal access.
The importance of internet neutrality is to protect freedom of expression and access to information. ISPs offering priority access or speed to content or services can weaken competition for small businesses and restrict users’ access to certain content. In addition, the authority of ISPs to interfere with content may threaten freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
However, internet neutrality is not always guaranteed. Some ISPs or countries may affect internet traffic with special agreements or censorship practices. Such practices are against the principle of internet neutrality and may limit the rights of internet users.
Therefore, maintaining and enforcing internet neutrality is important to ensure digital freedom and the internet remain an open and equal platform. In order to support justice, freedom and diversity in the digital world, it is necessary to manage the internet in a neutral way and to ensure that everyone has access to the internet under the same conditions.
The importance of maintaining internet neutrality
Maintaining internet neutrality is essential for democracy, freedom of expression and digital equality. Here are some key points that highlight the importance of maintaining internet neutrality:
Freedom of Expression: Internet neutrality ensures users’ freedom of expression. If ISPs prioritize or censor content or services, certain opinions and information may be suppressed and freedom of expression may be compromised.
Information Access and Diversity: Internet neutrality provides everyone with equal access to information and ensures an impartial distribution of content. If ISPs prioritize or block content providers, access to information may be restricted and diversity may be reduced.
Business Opportunities and Innovation: Internet neutrality enables small businesses, entrepreneurs and creative professionals to have the same access and opportunities as large corporations. This creates a competitive business environment and an enabling environment for digital innovation.
Digital Equity: Internet neutrality supports communities to access digital equality and equal opportunities. When everyone has access to the internet at the same speed and quality, the digital divides in society can be reduced.
Social Justice and Activism: The Internet provides an important platform for social justice struggles and social activism. Internet neutrality protects civil society’s right to be heard and demand social change.
Freedom of the News and Press: Internet neutrality supports the freedom of news organizations and journalists to freely disseminate news and access information. Freedom of the press is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.
Internet Blocking and Preventing Censorship: Internet neutrality limits the authority of ISPs to block and censor content. This prevents governments or private organizations from restricting access to information.
Maintaining internet neutrality is a cornerstone of digital freedom and promotes justice, freedom and diversity in the digital world. It is vital that the Internet remains an open and impartial platform to protect people’s freedom of expression, ensure fairness and equality in access to information, and foster social development and innovation. Therefore, it is important for countries and governments to develop and implement legislation and policies to protect internet neutrality.
Censorship and Internet Restrictions
Different censorship practices between countries
Censorship practices between countries may differ for a variety of reasons and may restrict the freedom and access of the Internet. Here are examples of different censorship practices in some countries:
Blocking Websites: Some countries may limit content by censoring or blocking certain websites. This could be political dissident sites, news sites, social media platforms, or an app to block children’s access.
Social Media Restrictions: Some countries may partially or completely disable social media platforms or censor content. This may be aimed at blocking political opposition or social movements on social media.
Blocking Online Communication Tools: Some countries may block instant messaging applications and VoIP (Internet Protocol over Voice) services. This may be done to prevent encryption of certain communications or to provide government surveillance.
Content Filtering: Some countries may automatically censor or block certain words, phrases or content using content filtering systems. This may be a practice for moral or political reasons.
Data and Communication Monitoring: Some countries can control censorship practices by monitoring internet traffic and spying on users’ communication. This can be a practice for security purposes, or it can be used to restrict freedom of expression.
Interference with Blog and Content Publishing: Some countries may interfere with their content by censoring or pre-approving their content on bloggers and content providers. This could threaten freedom of expression and independent journalism.
VPN Blocking: Some countries may block the use of a virtual private network (VPN), making it harder for internet users to take action against censorship.
Such censorship practices can prevent the internet from remaining an open and free platform and create threats to freedom of expression and access to information. Protecting digital freedom and ensuring internet neutrality are important to ensure users have a safe, fair and free online experience.
Precautions to be taken to make the Internet resistant to censorship
The measures that can be taken to make the internet resistant to censorship are very important for protecting digital freedom and securing freedom of expression. Here are some of the measures that can be taken to make the internet resistant to censorship:
VPN (Virtual Private Network) Usage: VPNs can help bypass censorship and internet blocking by encrypting internet traffic and hiding users’ real IP addresses. VPN services offer users free access to the internet in censored regions.
Tor Network: Tor is an anonymizing network that encrypts internet traffic and routes data through servers in different countries. Tor can help circumvent censorship and surveillance and provide users with an anonymous and uncensored online experience.
Internet Encryption and Use of HTTPS: Websites and service providers can encrypt data traffic using the HTTPS protocol. This protects users’ data and protects access to information from censorship.
Digital Security and Privacy: Users must protect their accounts and personal information using strong passwords. Two-factor authentication and other security measures increase digital security.
Social Media Platforms and Blogs: In censored areas, social media platforms or digital platforms such as blogs can provide a safe channel for the protection of freedom of expression. Content under threat of censorship may be shared on such platforms.
Access Technologies and Proxy Servers: Access technologies and proxy servers are tools that facilitate internet access in censored areas. Such technologies allow bypassing censorship by routing internet traffic through servers in different countries.
Digital Literacy and Awareness: It is important for users to increase their digital literacy level and to be conscious about the functioning and security of the internet. This supports censorship-resistant use of the internet.
For a censorship-resistant internet experience, it is important for users and societies to defend digital freedom and adopt technological measures. It is also important that governments implement appropriate policies and regulations to avoid restrictions on internet users’ freedom of expression and access to information, and to ensure that the internet remains an open platform.
Data Privacy and Internet Security
Protection of Internet users’ data
Protecting Internet users’ data means protecting the privacy, security and unauthorized use of personal information and data online. Internet users leave a lot of personal data when surfing various platforms or interacting online. This data may include information such as name, surname, e-mail address, phone number, geolocation information, device information.
Protection of Internet users’ data is provided by various methods and practices:
Data Encryption: Internet users’ data is encrypted using data encryption technologies. This prevents data from falling into the hands of unauthorized persons and ensures that data is transmitted securely.
SSL/TLS Certificates: E-commerce sites and other secure platforms provide extra protection for the security of user data by using SSL/TLS certificates.
Dual-Factor Authentication: Dual-factor authentication adds an extra layer of authentication when logging into users’ accounts and increases the security of accounts.
Personal Data Permissions: Internet users can determine what data is collected when granting access to platforms and applications, and can manage these permissions.
Retention of Personal Data: Companies and platforms must ensure data security by protecting and securely storing users’ personal data.
Data Protection Policies: Companies and platforms should develop and implement data protection policies to protect user data.
Conscious Internet Use: Users should pay attention to their online behavior and interact with reliable sources to protect their personal data.
The protection of users’ personal data is of great importance in terms of protecting privacy and security in the online environment. Getting personal data into malicious hands can lead to identity theft, fraud and other security threats. Therefore, internet users should be aware of the protection of their data and take the necessary precautions to keep their personal data safe.
Impact of data breaches and leaks
Data breaches and leaks can have serious implications for individuals, companies and institutions alike. Here are the possible effects of data breaches and leaks:
Identity Theft and Fraud: Personal data obtained as a result of data breaches can be used for identity theft and fraud purposes. This can include hacking of individuals’ bank accounts, fraudulent credit card transactions, and other forms of fraud.
Privacy Violation: Leaking personal data may result in a breach of individuals’ private life and privacy. Psychological and emotional trauma can occur as a result of the disclosure of private messages, photos and other personal information to the public.
Financial Loss: Data breaches can cause financial losses for companies and institutions. Companies can suffer reputational damage, lose customers, and face legal penalties.
Loss of Competitive Advantage: When companies’ trade secrets and innovations are leaked, their competitive advantage can be lost and used by competitors.
Legal and Dispute Issues: Data breaches can result in legal problems and lawsuits by users and customers against companies.
Compliance and Regulatory Issues: Data breaches can result in non-compliance with data protection regulations and compliance issues. This can bring legal sanctions and loss of reputation to companies.
Social and Political Impacts: Data breaches can also have social impacts. In particular, the leaking of political, military or sensitive information may endanger social security and affect political balances.
To minimize the effects of data breaches and leaks, both individuals and companies must take security measures, protect personal data, and be data security conscious. Companies should keep customers’ data safe and try to minimize breaches by enforcing data protection policies and security measures. Individuals should use strong passwords, opt for two-factor authentication, and interact with trusted websites and applications.
