Javeria Irshad is doing her MPhil in International Relations from National Defence University.
The internet knows no borders, and neither do the threats it poses. The internet unquestionably serves as a vital engine for storing and spreading data in an unmatchable magnitude. However, in this data-driven world, information can be manipulated and misrepresented to shape desired opinions, potentially resulting in personal harm and creating challenges at the national level. The 2007 cyber-attacks in Estonia, the Stuxnet worm attack on Iran’s nuclear program, and the possible Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections are some of the recent incidences that reflect the vulnerability of the internet in the context of national security. In response to these threats, states are employing various means and ways to control the menace associated with the internet. Few states opt for awareness campaigns. Others have implemented extensive measures to control and restrict online content. Similarly, China has been operating a systematic control over the internet since the 1990s, famously known as the Great Firewall, officially referred to as the Golden Shield Project.
In 1994, China officially gained access to the internet, and the government quickly recognized the advantages and potential risks of this widespread network. Due to the growing concerns under President Jiang Zemin, a Golden Shield project was initiated in the late 1990s. This project aimed to establish a comprehensive framework for internet monitoring and censorship. The project ultimately evolved into the Great Firewall of China, an innovative system of controlling the flow of information in China. This system works with legislative actions and technological tools under strict government supervision. Since 2013, the Great Firewall has technically been operated by the Cyberspace administration of China. Let’s take a closer look at how the system of the Great Firewall of China functions.
The mechanism of the Great Firewall is working on a combination of approaches featuring keyword filtering, Internet protocol blocking, and Domain name system spoofing. Over the period, the system has evolved to incorporate advanced techniques like Deep Packet Inspections, which allow authorities to bypass methods such as using virtual private networks (VPN) by individuals to elude censorship. In addition, the firewall depends upon the cooperation of internet service providers (IPS) and domestic companies aligned with the state’s censorship policies under the Cyber Security Law 2017. Moreover, companies often engage in “Self-censorship,” which means that the moderators of these firms remove the content prohibited in line with the Internet Security Level Protection Regulation (2019) to avoid repercussions. The system is viewed through various perspectives; some variables suggest it is beneficial, while others indicate it is not.
China’s great firewall is a highly controlled system that effectively counters threats from the internet. Misinformation can spread through the internet and provoke public unrest. As seen in incidents like the 2016 Pizza Gate conspiracy in the United States of America, similarly in 2018, anti-Muslim riots emerged in Sri Lanka and the 2015 xenophobic attacks in South Africa, all of which resulted in significant causalities. The firewall of China is playing a pivotal role in maintaining social stability as it filters out harmful content that could cause such turmoil. In addition, the spread of false information during any natural disaster can exacerbate the situation, making it more fatal and challenging, as evidenced in the Nepal Earthquake 2015. China is protected by a great wall that restrains access to harmful information that causes panic and confusion during a crisis. Since its inception, it has faced widespread criticism from human rights activists and international observers because of its restrictive nature. For instance, this censorship limits access to information. It creates fear that restrains Chinese from sharing their opinions on sensitive topics as well as the diversity of political opinions is also reserved. In addition to this, it also creates a climate of distrust in information sources, making it difficult for the public to differentiate between credible content and state propaganda.
Furthermore, it can limit global collaborations in science, technology, and culture due to the absence of foreign content. The Great Firewall of China can also limit personal confidentiality by constantly monitoring personal data. The mechanism has a profound impact on the region’s internet culture.
Internet culture shapes people’s behaviour, influencing how they engage with content, economic trends, digital security, and privacy. Some netizens have learned to censor themselves and use expressions that cannot be censored. For instance, playful language or symbols are used to discuss prohibited information. This type of situation has developed a unique culture of the internet. Moreover, the firewall prevents the Western or foreign media industry from penetrating the Chinese market.
In contrast, China is heavily investing in Chinese movies, television, and drama industry streaming platforms such as iQIYI, Youku, and Tencent Video that produce content adhering to the regulations of the Chinese government and promoting Chinese values and nationalism. The Great Firewall fosters movements like “Little Pink,” which are immersed in patriotic narratives. As a result, a collective digital narrative emerges, with users defending China against foreign criticism. This reflects a specific internet culture that thrives on nationalistic sentiments. Under the censorship policies by the early 2000s, major international internet platforms such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter were blacklisted. To fill the void, homegrown alternatives were created, such as WeChat, Sina’s Weibo, and Baidu’s search engine. Chinese tech companies like Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent have thrived as economic giants in search engines, e-commerce, and social media, mainly due to the absence of foreign competition. Furthermore, the need to create alternative solutions to foreign services has driven innovations in China. For instance, WeChat has integrated social media and payment services into a single platform.
Since the introduction of the internet in China, the Great Firewall of China has served as a complex tool for national security, blocking foreign influence. It is the cause of fostering the monopoly of domestic tech industries. Although this internet censorship limits global collaboration and results in conventional political views, it has fueled innovative methods, like memes and the “little pink” movement that reflects a burgeoning nationalistic internet culture. Many countries like Pakistan are considering implementing a similar structure due to misuse of the internet and content manipulation against states’ interests. Even the countries that advocate for freedom of the internet, such as the United States, have faced the consequences, such as the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, which led to several legal actions by the government. I conclude that while freedom is essential at every level, it should come with certain limitations.
If you want to submit your articles and/or research papers, please check the Submissions page.
The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift.