Summary
Access control is a method of censorship used to restrict whether people can reach information, platforms, networks, tools or audiences.
It includes direct restrictions, such as website blocking, internet shutdowns, app bans, filtering and throttling. It can also include less visible forms of restriction, such as account limitations, search suppression, blocked distribution, payment restrictions or pressure on service providers.
The effect is not only that information becomes harder to reach. Access control changes what people can publish, who they can communicate with, how safely they can organise, and whether audiences can find or receive their work.
What this method group includes
This method group includes website blocking, internet shutdowns, throttling, filtering, app blocking, search blocking, platform restrictions, account restrictions, distribution restrictions, payment blocking and restrictions on communication tools.
It can also include pressure on internet service providers, telecoms companies, platforms, hosting companies, payment services, app stores, libraries, distributors or institutions to limit access to material, people or networks.
How it works
Access control usually works by interrupting the connection between expression and its audience.
A website may be blocked. A platform may become unavailable. An app may be restricted. Internet speed may be slowed. A search result may be hidden. A payment system may be blocked. A publication may be made difficult to distribute. A person may still be speaking, but fewer people can reach what they say.
In some cases, access control is obvious and public, such as a national internet shutdown during protests. In other cases, it is harder to see, such as throttling, search suppression, account restrictions or platform rules that make particular speech less visible.
The aim is often to limit the spread of information, prevent coordination, isolate communities, interrupt reporting, stop documentation from circulating, or make public speech less effective.
Case studies
Case studies will be added here as interviews, documentation and verified examples are published.
Relevant interviews
Relevant interviews will appear here when they are tagged with methods in this group.
Related articles
Related articles will appear here when they are tagged with methods in this group.
