Web Planet

The internet, once seen as liberating free expression, has increasingly become a tool of authoritarian repression, but new distributed technology could put it back in the hands of the people.

The internet v COVID-19

With a much greater number of us schooling, working and streaming from home during the COVID-19 crisis, what are the risks to our internet during the pandemic?

Putin and Xi plot an oppressive digital future

China and Russia are very different nations in many ways, but both are ruled by authoritarian regimes determined to assert themselves on the international stage while crushing political dissent at home and both use the internet to achieve their goals.

The internet is changing our brains

The Internet can change people’s cognition in both immediate and sustained ways, affecting our attention, memory, and social interactions according to an international team of researchers.

Australia needs stronger DNS protection against online fraud

It’s time for government agencies to take the lead to advocate, support and encourage adoption of secure internet standards in Australia.

The internet is now an arena for conflict, and we’re all caught up in it

Most people think the internet operates as a kind of global public square. In reality, it’s become a divided arena where conflict between nation states plays out.

In fighting online interference, the first line of defence is the mind

The internet and social media give authoritarian nations a lever to pull in democracy’s debates through intermediaries who guide opinions in their interest or undermine the legitimacy of democracy itself.

Is the internet to blame for the ‘new authoritarianism’?

There are three very different perspectives on the vexed question of whether the internet is having a damaging impact on democracy.

The changing dynamics of internet governance in the South Pacific

Australia and its partners must either brace for a new era of state dominated governance where principles of an open, free and secure internet will be frequently dismissed or be prepared to invest in the human, financial and political capital required to further our international cyber agenda.

The past, present and future of the internet

Vint Cerf, the ‘father’ of the internet, highlighted the growing threats to equal online access for everyone during a conversation before an attentive audience at UNSW.

Trolls, fanboys and lurkers – Understanding online commenting culture shows us how to improve it

A mix of personal and institutional responses to antisocial behaviour can help create more inclusive and harmonious online communities.