RESEARCH PROPOSAL: INTERNET CENSORSHIP 1
Research Proposal: Internet Censorship
Donovan R. Roberts
Western Kentucky University
CIT 490
Dr. M. Revels
October 29, 2022
, RESEARCH PROPOSAL: INTERNET CENSORSHIP 1
Background:
Internet censorship entails controlling and, at other times, suppressing what users can view,
publish, or access on the internet. The significant majority of actors implementing internet
censorship are governments across the globe. Among the reasons for implementing the internet,
censorship includes “securing intellectual property rights,” “protecting national security,”
“preserving cultural norms and religious values,” and “shielding children from pornography and
exploitation” (OpenNet Initiative, n.d.). Government actors use several methods to implement
internet censorship, including technical blocking (i.e., DNS tampering, IP blocking, keyword
filtering, and packet filtering), search results removal, takedown requests, and self-induced
censorship (OpenNet Initiative, n.d.; Terman, 2021). Each of these methods facilitates the
implementation of internet censorship in unique ways.
Goals:
The proposed research aims to explore the methods of internet censorship in Saudi Arabia,
including technical blocking (i.e., DNS tampering, IP blocking, keyword filtering, and packet
filtering), search results removal, takedown requests, and self-induced censorship.
Methodology/Approach:
While it is common knowledge to associate China with internet censorship, Saudi Arabia
remains invisible because it is a major partner of the U.S. in the Middle East region. While a host
of studies has invested research in the case of China, most studies mention Saudi Arabia in
passing. The limited internet censorship research in the case of Saudi Arabia warrants a study to
determine the methods that Saudi Arabia uses to achieve it. More importantly, the trends in the
current cyberworld manifest.
Research Proposal: Internet Censorship
Donovan R. Roberts
Western Kentucky University
CIT 490
Dr. M. Revels
October 29, 2022
, RESEARCH PROPOSAL: INTERNET CENSORSHIP 1
Background:
Internet censorship entails controlling and, at other times, suppressing what users can view,
publish, or access on the internet. The significant majority of actors implementing internet
censorship are governments across the globe. Among the reasons for implementing the internet,
censorship includes “securing intellectual property rights,” “protecting national security,”
“preserving cultural norms and religious values,” and “shielding children from pornography and
exploitation” (OpenNet Initiative, n.d.). Government actors use several methods to implement
internet censorship, including technical blocking (i.e., DNS tampering, IP blocking, keyword
filtering, and packet filtering), search results removal, takedown requests, and self-induced
censorship (OpenNet Initiative, n.d.; Terman, 2021). Each of these methods facilitates the
implementation of internet censorship in unique ways.
Goals:
The proposed research aims to explore the methods of internet censorship in Saudi Arabia,
including technical blocking (i.e., DNS tampering, IP blocking, keyword filtering, and packet
filtering), search results removal, takedown requests, and self-induced censorship.
Methodology/Approach:
While it is common knowledge to associate China with internet censorship, Saudi Arabia
remains invisible because it is a major partner of the U.S. in the Middle East region. While a host
of studies has invested research in the case of China, most studies mention Saudi Arabia in
passing. The limited internet censorship research in the case of Saudi Arabia warrants a study to
determine the methods that Saudi Arabia uses to achieve it. More importantly, the trends in the
current cyberworld manifest.
