Reader Response Draft 3

The article, “Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom – China, Russia or the US?” by Morozov (2015) argues that America is the true enemy of Internet freedom. The author illustrates this by comparing America’s actions with China and Russia. Actions done by China and Russia, seen as nations who curtail freedom of expression and assembly, are more benign and are for self-protection and self-preservation. America however, uses Internet to retrieve data from users of American technology around the world (Morozov, 2015).

Historically, geopolitical factors made America the world’s policemen. Actions done by the American government in controlling Internet data are align to that role. However, Morozov argues that America, as a bastion of freedom of expression, needs to be careful to balance on this thin line as fighting for freedom can also be seen as fighting for restriction.

America sees itself as the policeman of the world (Lynch, 2014). Policeman, as generally understand, upholds law and order and acts as the bastion of peace and enforcement of security. America, in this sense, takes on the task of upholding law and order around the world and aims to secure peace and stability. Uncle Sam started becoming the world’s police shortly after the fall of Soviet Russia as it became the sole superpower in the global stage. As the sole superpower, the US took on this “moral obligation” to police the world and intervene when necessary. The US has intervened in political issues around the world since from Iraq to Syria.

America has justified their actions by arguing that it is protecting its sovereignty or that it is a moral obligation to save people who are suffering. Likewise, America argues that retrieving data of users accessibly and easily is to protect its sovereignty and ensure security and peace. By collecting these data, the American government is able to filter and pre-empt any possible threat from happening, preventing any damage to people and property and such data can be anything from narcotics to organised crime such as terrorist strikes. While allowing freedom of expression, America feels that it needs to supervise the content and flow of data on the Internet.

On the other hand, as the American government fights for the freedom of the people, it has to ensure that it is not too invasive such that it ends up curtailing freedom instead. Argued by Morozov, technological companies like Microsoft and Google need to maintain their independence and solidarity and not be easily swayed by the arguments by the US government. He further argues that if companies are unable to maintain their independence they might see their usage and support wane and users will seek other avenues to fulfil their technological needs. This is expected because people expect certain basic levels of privacy and freedom and to be able to use technology without the fear of being spied on. Apple’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tim Cook, has since echoed this argument. (Rushe, 2015)

America needs to understand that they are neither obliged nor capable enough to intervene with every and any political or social disruptions around the world. The American government has to be strategic and careful in selecting instances when freedom of expression is curtailed for a supposed greater good.

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References

Lynch, C. (2014, September 24). Obama to U.N.: OK, America Will Be The World’s Police. Foreign Policy. Retrieved from http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/09/24/obama-to-u-n-ok-america-will-be-worlds-police/.

Morozov, E. (2015, January 4). Who's the true enemy of Internet freedom - China, Russia or the US. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/04/internet-freedom-china-russia-us-google-microsoft-digital-sovereignty.

Rushe, D. (2015, February 13). Apple CEO Tim Cook challenges Obama with impassioned stand on privacy. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/13/apple-ceo-tim-cook-challenges-obama-privacy.