The use of blockchain in preventing digital censorship by governments

Multiple countries across the world are ruled by strict governments and regimes, while the citizens are blocked out from the outside world by the use of digital censorship. Any information that may cause the people to revolt against the government or question their laws is immediately shot down. This results in misinformation of citizens and makes them oblivious about the pleasures/drawbacks of the outside world. According to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Target 16.10), states must “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements”.

The blockchain is a decentralised digital ledger which means that it is not dependant upon any one authority. In fact, the ledger is duplicated on every node (computer) that joins the network. Once uploaded, information on the blockchain cannot be changed or removed. In about 10 years’ time, the blockchain could solve the issue of censorship by creating a universal data hub that could host content that is accessible in many languages. This will enable millions of people everywhere in the world to see what their oppressive governments don’t want them to see, and form opinions of their own instead of receiving propaganda. The solution to this problem, using the blockchain, involves multiple steps. Its purpose, protecting free expression and reliable records, demands thorough research and rigorous fact checking.

Instead of depending on a single entity, the use of smart contracts can be used to verify the data’s bias-free nature and validity by comparing it to thousands of other sources and finding the common facts, which will be, in most cases, the truth. This way there is no single party that has control over this blockchain. Furthermore, it should be built on a public network such that anyone can join without any permissions. These smart contracts can also record the timestamp, origin and verification process of each block of data. Additionally, using a Proof of Stake governance model combined with smart contracts is more practical than a Proof of Work consensus. This would work by having a widespread network of information validators, each with a ‘stake’. If one or more of them is reported by users for validating false information, they lose their stake. Not only does the Proof of Stake consensus help eliminate misinformation, but it also does not require excessive computational energy like Proof of Work.

Each file would have its own cryptographic hash that is stored on the blockchain. Smart contracts will constantly check that the stored file matches its hash value to detect any tampering from governments or other authorities. Linked storage would hold files, while the blockchain proves they’re real. Another idea is the integration of the blockchain into all government records so that they cannot be tampered with and corrupt people cannot rewrite the truth for their benefit.

Let’s explore this topic from the point of view of the average middle class person, Sam, living in a developing country in 2035. The news channels are still biased and they always seem to show the negative side of news and current affairs. Sam, instead of watching the news, accesses the blockchain in a matter of minutes, using his smartphone, laptop, smart fridge, or any smart device that may exist by 2035. His fast WiFi opens up a website that hosts a link to access the information on the blockchain. Sam can now enjoy endless censorship-free information that will involve facts only.

A potential risk to this could be legal pressure from governments, restrictive laws and the shutting down of the access points of people who enable the blockchain to work. However, this risk can be mitigated by the advocacy for new policies by international organisations such as the United Nations, which would protect the websites providing access to the blockchain from corrupt governments.

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