Technical Considerations for Internet Service Blocking and Filtering

Abstract

The Internet is structured to be an open communications medium.

Mitigating information asymmetry in 5G networks

“…While blocking entails a complete prohibition on accessing internet content or services, filtering represents a more nuanced form of impediment. Barnes et al (2016) elucidate that the distinction between these two practices hinges on the matter of scale and perspective. Accordingly, filtering can be defined as a practice that restricts the flow of information on the internet by selectively scanning keywords, phrases, images, or strings, among others, performed on webpages, emails, social networks, chat rooms, newsgroups, electronic messages, video streaming, or executable files.…”

Research into Human Rights Protocol Considerations

“…Blocking: The practice of preventing access to resources in the aggregate [RFC7754]. Both blocking and filtering can be implemented at the level of "services" (web hosting or video streaming, for example) or at the level of particular "content" [RFC7754].…”

“…Both blocking and filtering can be implemented at the level of "services" (web hosting or video streaming, for example) or at the level of particular "content" [RFC7754].…”

Planning for Protocol Adoption and Subsequent Transitions

“…Such a Requiring a translator in the middle of the path can hamper end-toend security and reliability. For example, see the discussion of network-based filtering in [RFC7754].…”

“…For example, requiring a translator in the middle of the path may hamper end-to-end security and privacy, since it creates an attractive target. For further discussion of some of these issues, see Section 5 of [RFC7754].…”