Evolution of Censorship and Surveillance Technologies

• In Event: Censorship, Dissent and Legitimation under Autocracy

Abstract

How have censorship and surveillance tactics evolved over time? Have technological advancements led governments to surveil and censor citizens more extensively? Are governments continuing to resort to conventional methods or adopting virtual ones such as email tracking and cyber-attacks? This paper answers these questions by using a new dataset of censorship and surveillance based on Human Rights Texts. We closely document in what ways censorship and surveillance, aimed to control the flow of information, have evolved and diversified with the advancement of technology over time and across regimes – both democratic and authoritarian. We also examine the evolution of censorship and surveillance tactics in influencing elections. Our study reveals that technological advances have produced significant electoral advantages for incumbents.

Authors

• Yuree Noh, Rhode Island College

• Christopher J. Fariss, University of Michigan

• Nadiya Kostyuk