Fear has hit the Cambodian public after the government announced they will be implementing a national internet gateway that aims to “protect national security”. According to the Nikkei Asian Review, the sub-decree which contains the plans was drafted in July and is not currently signed.
The draft states the internet gateway will be used to protect “culture” through the restriction of content online. Although many controversial websites may be “blocked” by copyright and other claims, few countries have enacted explicit restrictive measures. Nevertheless, other laws may be used by governments to block websites. Currently, in Thailand, the government has been concerned with a Facebook group that contains anti-monarchy material; however, the group has been allowed to stay on the platform as of now.
Over a dozen people have been penalized for criticizing the government over social media in 2020 with an over 9 million increase in Cambodians using the internet from 2014 to 2019. Human rights advocates are worried that freedom of speech will be impacted through the sub-decree imitating countries like Thailand, who have blocked websites due to violating the lèse majesté law.
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