Slashdot Mirror
U.N. Realizes Internet Surveillance Chills Free Speech
An anonymous reader writes "The Electronic Frontier Foundation reports that the United Nations has finally come to the realization that there is a direct relationship between government surveillance online and citizens' freedom of expression. The report (PDF) says, 'The right to privacy is often understood as an essential requirement for the realization of the right to freedom of expression. Undue interference with individuals' privacy can both directly and indirectly limit the free development and exchange of ideas. An infringement upon one right can be both the cause and consequence of an infringement upon the other.' The EFF adds, 'La Rue's landmark report could not come at a better time. The explosion of online expression we've seen in the past decade is now being followed by an explosion of communications surveillance. For many, the Internet and mobile telephony are no longer platforms where private communication is shielded from governments knowing when, where, and with whom a communication has occurred.'"
The US is the only country I know of with complete "freedom of speech" and over the last couple of years we have seen that even here it is suppresed to cheers (talking about people here cheering the IRS suppressing conservatives). I don't see any way of punishing other than the people outright fighting those in charge, and using the ballot box no longer works because they made sure to suppress support of opposition.
Unless by "punishment" you mean promoted or hired by Apple to top level positions.
So, let me know how that works out for you.