Asia is a controversial region when it comes to civil liberties, in general, and Internet freedom, in particular. Even in countries like Japan and Singapore, which boast a high level of technological progress and mind-boggling Internet penetration rates, the web is an increasingly regulated environment.
Residents of some Asian countries can be subject to severe penalties, including criminal prosecution, for expressing their views on social media and personal blogs. The same goes for news sites. To silence them, authorities have passed draconian laws imposing online censorship.
The tightening cyberspace regulations are not only an issue for local Internet users. Because Asia is a mecca for numerous travellers and cyber nomads from overseas, being aware of these developments is an essential prerequisite for a hassle-free stay in these countries.
This article sheds light on online privacy risks and the degree of Internet censorship in Asia to give you the big picture.
Japan
Japan is one of the world’s leaders in terms of the Internet penetration rate, with a whopping 91% of its population connected to the web. Whereas online censorship and governmental interference with citizens’ Internet activities are moderate, things are gradually changing. This explains why VPN tools are increasingly popular in the Land of the Rising Sun, both among locals and visitors from abroad.
Japan authorities are doing their best to pull the plug on torrenting. The penalties for violating the relevant laws can reach 10 million yen (about $95,000) in fines and a two-year jail sentence.
Downloading copyright-protected content this way is not likely to enta ..
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