Social media in this digital era is becoming more and more powerful that governments had to resort to implementing an iron fist law on Internet Censorship to protect their privacy and monitor activities on the internet. Today, people could almost instantly disseminate information across the web and reach thousands of internet users in just a matter of seconds. One negative video posted on YouTube or a photo uploaded on Facebook or Instagram could instantly spark a protest amongst netizens.

Censorship, according to gilc.org is the control of the information and ideas circulated within a society -- has been a hallmark of dictatorships throughout history. In a global context, governments have used a powerful array of techniques and arguments to marshal support for their censorship efforts.

Back in 2012, thirty four countries have increased internet censorship and in the following year, thirty-nine countries have actively filtered online Contents to protect government and its people. Three countries, namely China, Russia, and Turkey, voted in favor of a new set of international Telecommunications Regulations and requested to expand the role of the state in the matters of internet governance. 

This expansion of the state’s role gave birth to some controversial internet censorship regulations and laws that has reached the international headlines and has threatened the Digital Marketing Industry which affected a number of business owners and internet marketers worldwide.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed the Bloggers Law of Russia. This law mandates that no bloggers are allowed to post contents anonymouslyas well as web hosts and are required to hand over information on popular blogger. Anyone who would violate this law could face fines of up to $142,000. Search engines and social networks are required to hold on to computer records in the country. 

The telecom authority in Turkey (TIB) was given control over shutting down websites carrying contents that could be a threat to the national security or public order and to monitor online activities by tracking down which users visited which websites. The TIB was also given power to collect and keep private data of every internet user including their geographical locations.  Websites are blocked without warning or notification. Early this year, Twitter was blocked to protect government privacy, and was only lifted after the highest court ruled that the ban has violated freedom of expression.

These countries were said to have disregarded the freedom of speech and expressions of its people. The government arbitrarily decides which contents must show up on the web and which must not, which is offensive and which is fine, but lame.   Creating unique and valuable contents has become even more challenging for people in the digital marketing industry. Creativity was suppressed, privacy was invaded, and the chance of having a site or a Page blocked created fear among website owners and social media users.

Whether it’s for national security or political issues that led a government in its decision to implement strict regulations on internet usage or block websites and social media pages (both personal and business page), the downside always goes directly to the netizens especially to  people whose business rely greatly on contents and internet.

These have compelled marketers and business owners to innovate, to search for options and possibilities, to adapt to the situation. And they have succeeded in finding better and effective solutions to cope with the strict regulations they carry heavily upon their shoulders. The best thing is, they did it without violating any of the rules the government has mandated.