Web access is growing, creating an insecure information exchange where the strategies of centralised data and restricted networks create tensions. As a result, there is a need to balance network openness and total network control.

There are other issues like image theft. A report from Copytrack found that 2.5 billion images were stolen in a day. In addition, the group's latest Global Infringement Report, a study conducted by Copytrack and IMGembed, found around 85 per cent of the 3 billion images posted online were used without any valid license, and the creator and the owner agencies were mostly unaware of it.  

Recently, the UN's David Kaye explained the need to protect the right to freedom of opinion and spoke against state-imposed cyber laws where he asked states to reconsider the undue restriction on the internet.

But, the online media has to define state accountability in such crimes, where even countries like the US, Russia, and China are considering methods like cyber policing or social policing to control it.

AI-Based Censor

Chinese companies are using AI to censor such content where it is labelled, rated, categorised and sorted based on different types of risk sections.

Many users face privacy issues due to social media posts. The UK government is preparing to take action against companies unable to regulate the vulnerabilities and protect the users, children and young people from such risks. 

Malware can infect files to hack embedded harmful files and leave no trace of hacking. In November 2018, the US signed the cyber-security and Infrastructure Security Agency Act to bolster defences against physical and digital threats.

The CISA stated the government could not rely on the unregulated market of message exchange, and there is a need to protect the citizens from harm. 

Regulating Self-Harm Online

The UK government wants the companies to pay for their negligence as per the responsibility of protecting the user's data. However, the risks of unprecedented events like the global attack NotPetya and concerns over the data being stolen are growing.  

The new measures announced jointly by the Home Office and Department of Culture, Media and Sport propose to tackle a range of problems, which includes preventing the spread of violent content that promotes self-harm or conditions like suicide. 

In addition, social media shall be held liable for the spread of fake news and bullying. 

Internet and Accessibility Restrictions

The governments in South East Asian countries are identifying the need to restrict the freedom of expression to preserve public morality as easy access comes with several risks.

The opportunity for free speech and unrestricted media is considered a menace in Vietnam and Thailand, where the government passed the law to access anyone's personal or business information or seize computers on suspicion of being cybercriminals.

Such restrictive laws have been imposed or proposed in many Southeast Asian and Middle East countries. 

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