An Attitude of Citizens to State Control Over the Internet Traffic

Abstract

The problem of using Internet resources is becoming increasingly urgent. A world-wide
system of computers, local networks, servers, voluntarily joined together into one
network distributed across the planet, which serves to exchange information, has been
created, and the question of regulating this network arises. This is a big social problem,
and for this reason it is so widely and hotly debated around the world. In this regard,
the purpose of this article is to analyze the attitude of citizens towards the state control
over Internet traffic in the 21st century. Research methods: The leading research
method is a survey conducted with residents of a metropolis, which allows considering
this problem as a dynamic process. Results of the study: The article presents the results
of the interviews and shows that the majority of users of Internet resources have a
negative attitude towards the control of user Internet traffic by the state. The majority
of the population is not only not ready to pay the costs to communication companies,
but is also ready to show civic activism in obstructing the functioning of the law. The
respondents indicated the following main objectives, which the state adheres to,
controlling the users’ network traffic: preventing recruitment to prohibited terrorist
organizations; prevention of acts of terrorism; drug trafficking prevention; receiving
information about public opinion; prevention of illegal actions and rallies; receiving
information about the activities of opposition parties; obtaining compromising
materials. Practical significance: The data obtained in the work can be used in
jurisprudence, practical psychology, as well as for further theoretical development of
this issue.