Dr Shafizan highlighted Malaysia’s move towards exerting its “internet sovereignty” as part of a broader goal to shape the internet according to cultural and societal values. This concept challenges the traditional ideals of a free and open internet, allowing governments to impose specific rules and regulations on online content. In Malaysia, DNS redirection was seen as a less obvious way to block access to certain websites, potentially leading to loading errors instead of censorship notices.
From a liberal democratic perspective, this move can be considered draconian as it enables the government to control what the public can access, possibly infringing on freedom of speech and information rights. Dr Shafizan noted that such actions allow governments to filter and block content, shaping public opinion by controlling the information available to citizens. This approach can be seen as a method of managing and manipulating available information in order to influence public perception.
In Indonesia, similar methods are used to block websites related to political dissent or inappropriate content. Indonesian ISPs intercept user queries and redirect them to block notification pages or return no results, making content inaccessible. While the technical methods employed by different countries may vary, the ultimate goal is to disrupt free access to information. Blocking websites through DNS hijacking or other techniques poses privacy and security risks, potentially exposing user browsing activity and leading to the interception of personal data or malware attacks.
One internet user expressed disillusionment with the government’s handling of internet safety measures, referring to the abandoned DNS redirection plan as a rushed shortcut policy. Mr. Khairi Zulfadhli, head of digital at a Malaysian consultancy, criticized the lack of guidelines, stakeholder engagement, and discussion surrounding the implementation of the order. He attended an MCMC engagement session intended to address perceptions and gather expert feedback on the DNS issue following the policy U-turn. The lack of clarity and accountability in implementing such measures has led to disruptions and issues for internet users and service providers.
The potential impact of DNS redirection on user privacy and security is a significant concern highlighted by experts. By allowing ISPs and governments to intercept and log user DNS queries, there is a risk of exposing browsing activity and the websites users attempt to access. DNS tampering can lead to security risks, with users being redirected to unauthorized or fake websites that could steal personal data or spread malware. This disruption in DNS integrity can erode trust between users and the internet infrastructure they rely on, potentially leading to further privacy and security vulnerabilities.
Despite the controversies surrounding the implementation of DNS redirection in Malaysia, VPN (virtual private network) services will not be banned. VPNs are often used by internet users to bypass website blocking and access content that may be restricted in their country. By encrypting user data and masking IP addresses, VPN services provide a layer of privacy and security for online activities. The decision to not ban VPNs reflects an understanding of their importance for protecting user privacy and online freedom, even in the midst of debates over internet sovereignty and content censorship.
