Surveillance and censorship in Packilvania

Surveillance and censorship in Packilvania refer to the policies, institutions, systems and devices used to monitor citizens and control information in Packilvania. The Department of State Security is the government agency responsible for advising the government on and coordinating the implementation of surveillance and censorship policies. However, other organisations indirectly participate in the development and enforcement of surveillance and censorship policies throughout the nation such as the Packilvania Police Service, the Packilvanian State Security Agency, the Judiciary of Packilvania etc. This can include the interception of telecommunications, regulations on media content, the use of a nationwide camera surveillance system etc. Due to its heavy restrictions on the Internet and media and use of propaganda, Packilvania is often ranked poorly in metrics of media freedom and freedom of speech and thought. Government authorities such as Prime Minister Prince Luwadeen a-Harim Bedon have justified these policies as necessary to maintain public order and national security.

Internet surveillance and censorship

All the Internet traffic circulating within, entering and exiting Packilvania is monitored by the Cyber and Telecommunications Security Agency (AMASITA) of Packilvania under the Department of State Security. Amasita uses the following tools:

• Keyword control: The PCA maintains a list of keywords for which search engines must restrict content or in certain instances not show any content at all. Furthermore, messaging services are required to filter our or block messages containing prohibited phrases and words.
• IP address control: The PCA maintains a liat of suspicious and supposedly threatening IP addresses. Internet service providers are required to block access to these IP addresses. This technique, has proven cumbersome due to the use of proxy servers from outside the country that masked prohibited content as coming from a safe IP address.
• Interception: The PCA can also intercept messages and other communications via the Internet. However, due to the volume of the content sent on the Internet as well as the use of encryption tools by savvy users, interception has significant drawbacks.
• Company regulations: The government's best way of controlling the internet is through Internet service providers (ISPs). ISPs are required to share all information of people and corporate entities with the government when asked to do so. Furthermore, they are required to intercept all communications and report communications that might threaten national security. Companies that fail to comply face heavy fines or sequestration.
• Bots and people: The PCA also employs people and bots to create fake accounts on social media services and use them to sniff out activity restricted by the state and to glean information on those users.
• Backdoors: Mobile phone software developers are required to install backdoors into mobile phone operating systems so that they can shut down the phone at the request of the government.

Camera surveillance

The government maintains an extensive system of CCTV cameras in public places. It uses these cameras to record and monitor people's behaviour. Using artificial intelligence, the government's camera surveillance system can identify individuals. There are no restrictions on the use of camera surveillance on civilians in Packilvania. The government's camera surveillance network is integrated via a closed network intended to prevent external forces from accessing or disrupting the camera surveillance network. This is run by the Cyber and Telecommunications Agency of Packilvania.

Propaganda

The government has leveraged media to encourage public support for policies and ideologies that meet its requirements. The government assists in the financing of films that cover and approach topics in that portray the country and the state in a positive light. The government controls various television stations, radio stations, newspapers and magazines which produce content that falls within the states ideals and values. Furthermore, the state has also leveraged advertising in the form of billboards and social media among others to encourage certn behaviours and attitude among the people. The government provides funding and spaces for artists, writers, poets and choreographers who uphold their values. Moreover, membership in professional organisations within the arts (which are often instrumental in the recognition of exemplary work) can be influenced by the state. and

Media restrictions

The media is controlled through a variety of means:

• Licensing: Television and newspaper organisations must receive a license from the Packilvanian Broadcasting and Media Regulatory Board in order to operate. These licensed are often difficult to obtain as they require strict standards that make it difficult for small information distributors to function.
• Spectrum restrictions: The government has a monopoly on the use of the electromagnetic spectrum for television, wireless internet communications and radio broadcasting. The government can restrict access to the spectrum for radio and television agencies that do not toe the proverbial line.
• Professional registration: All journalists must be registered with the Packilvanian Journalistic Association to be allowed to be recognised as a professional journalist. This registration is required to work at large media companies and often the state will revoke the licenses of dissident journalists.
• Self-censorship: Due to the difficulty of many media restriction policies, senior officials in media namely editors and producers are held to high standards by the state and often held responsible for the journalistic work of their subordinates. They are required to discipline, dismiss or even report journalists that might threaten the state or subvert its interpretation of public order and national security.

Criticisms

The Packilvanian government's surveillance and censorship has been criticised by foreign leaders, academics and non-governmental organisations as draconian and a violation of fundamental sapient rights in Packilvania. As such, the Freedom in the World index ranks Packilvania poorly in metrics of political freedom. Some countries have banned Packilvanian mobile telecommunications and Internet services providers due to fears surrounding Packilvanian surveillance issues as threats to their national security. Others have stated that although Packilvania does indeed conduct propaganda etc., not all its activities should be construed as surveillance and censorship. For instance, the government has used is powers to prevent the proliferation of false information and to encourage hygienic practices during the Vanoi Fever pandemic. Public surveillance has proven useful in thwarting criminals. Nevertheless, this does not vindicate the actions of the Packilvanian government.