Website Block Rate Increased In 2023 Internet Censorship Study

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The block rate of websites increased to 2.19 percent between April to June 2023 compared to July to September 2022, which had a block rate of 1.58 percent, according to a new study on internet censorship in Malaysia.
The study, conducted by Sinar Project, was based on data collected through the Open Observatory Network Interference (Ooni) detection and reporting systems between the period between June 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
The study also showed there was a slight dip in the block rate of websites from October to December 2022 (one percent) and between January to March 2023 (1.03 percent) before going up to 2.19 percent in April to June 2023.
“The top three categories of websites found with the highest percentage of blocked and likely blocked measurements are pornography, gambling and online dating websites.
“Domain name service (DNS) tampering is the main method used for censorship in the blocking of websites,” the study read.
Pornography recorded the highest percentage of blocked and likely blocked measurements at 36.5 percent, followed by gambling with 18.9 percent and then online dating sites at 13.8 percent.
Other categories that showed a high percentage of blocked and likely blocked measurements include government (11 percent), provocative attire (seven percent), religion (6.3 percent), political criticism (six percent) and LGBT (5.6 percent).
The study also noted that the MalaysiaNow news site and Malaysia Today blog are new findings of blockings during the period of the study and that both these sites are perceived to be critical to the current administration.
Meanwhile, it also noted that the official website for electoral watchdog Bersih continued to be blocked.
MalaysiaNow was previously reported to be blocked on June 28 this year, though the block was lifted after about 48 hours.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil denied that any orders were given to block the news website.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Today, a news blog run by controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, was first detected to be blocked on Oct 16, 2022 and was intermittently blocked throughout the period of the study.
The Bersih website was first reported to be blocked in last year’s internet censorship study and this has been maintained throughout this year’s study. - Mkini

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