How do queer individuals manage self-censorship in surveillance-intensive contexts, and how might encrypted, peer-to-peer networks shift these dynamics?
In today's world, technology has become an integral part of everyday life, and the internet is used for various purposes such as communication, entertainment, and work.
This comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to privacy and security. Queer individuals face unique risks in terms of their safety and well-being due to the stigma surrounding their identities. In this article, we will explore how queer individuals can effectively manage self-censorship in surveillance-intensive contexts and how encrypted, peer-to-peer networks can help mitigate these issues.
Surveillance refers to the monitoring of activities by state actors, private organizations, or other individuals, which may include collecting personal data or tracking online behavior. Surveillance is often carried out through government agencies that monitor emails, phone calls, social media posts, and web browsing history. This poses a risk to queer individuals who may be targeted due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Some governments have implemented laws against LGBTQ+ rights, making it unsafe for queer individuals to express themselves openly online. As a result, queer individuals must find ways to manage their self-censorship to protect themselves from potential harm.
One way queer individuals can manage self-censorship is by using secure messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp, which use end-to-end encryption to protect messages from being intercepted by third parties. These apps allow users to send messages without worrying about them being read by anyone else.
Users can choose to delete messages after they are sent, ensuring that sensitive information is not retained on the server. Another method is using virtual private networks (VPNs) to mask IP addresses and location, allowing users to access websites anonymously.
Even with these measures, there are still risks associated with surveillance-intensive contexts.
Using public Wi-Fi networks leaves one vulnerable to attacks by hackers who could potentially steal personal information. Similarly, some countries have implemented internet censorship policies that block certain websites or restrict access to specific content. In such cases, peer-to-peer networks provide an alternative solution. Peer-to-peer networks enable users to share files directly without relying on central servers, reducing the risk of data interception. This means that queer individuals can exchange files and communicate without fear of surveillance.
Queer individuals face unique challenges in terms of privacy and security due to their identities.
Various tools exist to help them manage self-censorship effectively, including encrypted messaging apps, VPNs, and peer-to-peer networks. While no system is foolproof, these tools can significantly reduce the risk of surveillance and improve online safety for queer individuals.
How do queer individuals manage self-censorship in surveillance-intensive contexts, and how might encrypted, peer-to-peer networks shift these dynamics?
Self-censorship is a way of protecting oneself from negative consequences that may result due to sharing information. Queer individuals may experience such consequences when they engage in communication regarding their sexual orientation with others online. Such situations are common in surveillance-intensive contexts where it can be difficult for queer people to conceal sensitive personal data about themselves (Lim & Wong, 2015).