diff --git a/Concepts/2.Censorship.md b/Concepts/2.Censorship.md deleted file mode 100644 index c087f77..0000000 --- a/Concepts/2.Censorship.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,17 +0,0 @@ -Censorship in the digital age is a complex and multifaceted issue, affecting how information is shared, accessed, and controlled. It's not just about blocking content; it's about the power dynamics at play, the implications for freedom of expression, and the challenges of maintaining privacy and security in an increasingly interconnected world. - -## Understanding Censorship - -Censorship can take many forms, from the simple act of removing content from public view to more sophisticated methods like deepfakes and disinformation campaigns. It can be enforced by governments, corporations, or even individuals, often with the intention of controlling narratives, suppressing dissent, or protecting commercial interests. - -## Impact on Freedom of Expression - -The internet was hailed as a tool for democratizing information and fostering freedom of expression. However, censorship poses a significant threat to these ideals. It can stifle the flow of ideas, suppress dissenting voices, and create echo chambers where only certain perspectives are heard. - -## Challenges - -In the digital age, censorship is not just about blocking access to information. It's about navigating a landscape where information can be manipulated, where identities can be stolen, and where privacy is increasingly under threat. The challenge lies in finding ways to protect freedom of expression and privacy in the face of these threats. - -## The Role of Technology - -Technology plays a crucial role in both enabling and combating censorship . On one hand, it provides tools and platforms for the dissemination of information. On the other hand, it can be used to censor content, track users, and manipulate public opinion. The key is to leverage technology in a way that supports freedom, transparency, and accountability. diff --git a/Concepts/Censorship.md b/Concepts/Censorship.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8a7eaf2 --- /dev/null +++ b/Concepts/Censorship.md @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ + +## Censorship + +**Censorship** is the suppression or control of speech, communication, or information by a governing body or authority, often resulting in a lack of free expression and limited user autonomy. + +Imagine you’ve been using a social platform to share your thoughts and connect with others. One day, you notice that your posts are disappearing or are no longer visible to your friends. Your reach is being reduced, and your voice is being silenced. This is an example of **censorship** at play—when someone else decides what you can and cannot say online, and what others can and cannot see. + +## Why Censorship is Inevitable + +Censorship is inevitable in today's web because many popular services, like social platforms, require centralized hosting. These platforms need servers to store data, deliver content, and provide other services. As long as centralized servers are involved, someone—be it the server owner, government authority, or a corporate entity—can decide what content is allowed and what is not. + +The reality is that many centralized platforms serve millions of users, which makes them natural targets for censorship. Server operators can be pressured to comply with local laws or corporate policies, meaning that user content can be restricted, removed, or filtered at any time. + +However, this doesn't mean we should accept censorship without a solution. Instead, we need systems that **assume censorship is likely** and empower users to navigate around it. + +## How Pubky Addresses Censorship + +In **Pubky**, the approach is not to eliminate censorship entirely—because some level of censorship will always exist where there are centralized components—but rather to provide users with a way to **circumvent** it when it happens. + +- **Flexible Hosting**: Pubky provides a flexible hosting model using trusted servers known as **Homeservers**. While these servers may be subject to censorship, Pubky ensures that users have the ability to migrate away from a censoring server whenever needed. Users can move their data, identities, and connections seamlessly, meaning they retain control even in the face of censorship. + +- **Decentralized Identity**: In Pubky, user identities are not dependent on any single server. By using **self-issued public keys**, users maintain their identity even if they change hosting providers. This prevents identity loss when moving away from a server that engages in censorship. + +- **Data Portability and Redundancy**: Pubky ensures that user data can be exported and re-imported across servers without any loss. Users can also use multiple servers for redundancy, minimizing the risk of any single point of failure or censorship cutting them off from their data. + +## Important Aspects of Censorship Resistance + +- **Data Control**: Users should always have access to and control over their data, even if one hosting provider chooses to censor it. Pubky’s approach empowers users by ensuring they are not dependent on any one server. +- **Migration and Interoperability**: The ability to migrate data, identities, and connections between different homeservers helps users remain resilient against censorship. Interoperable systems mean that even if one provider blocks content, another can provide access. +- **Local Copies and Self-Hosting**: Users can keep local copies of their data, and Pubky encourages self-hosting, giving users more control over what happens to their information and ensuring their content is not subjected to centralized oversight. + +## Challenges and Considerations + +- **Legal Compliance**: Censorship is often tied to legal requirements that hosting providers must comply with. Even decentralized systems will face challenges related to legal jurisdictions, and Pubky is designed to navigate but not entirely eliminate these legal issues. +- **Content Moderation**: Some forms of moderation are necessary—whether it's to filter out spam or harmful content. Pubky facilitates **user-controlled moderation**, where individuals or groups decide what they want to see, rather than a centralized authority imposing a one-size-fits-all policy. +- **Redundancy Limitations**: While Pubky's redundancy and migration features provide resilience, they depend on the presence of multiple homeserver options. During the early phases, users may face limited availability of alternative servers. + +Censorship on the web is inevitable, but that doesn't mean users have to be powerless. With Pubky, you have the ability to choose your hosting, migrate your data, and maintain your identity—all key tools for resisting censorship. Pubky's design assumes censorship will happen and provides the mechanisms needed to overcome it. This empowers users with true control, ensuring that no single entity can unilaterally suppress their voice. The future of the web lies in resilient, user-first systems that put individuals back in control of their online presence.