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Who controls the internet?
The era of internet in has turned out to have different phases in
relation to it's controllability: it started in 1990s with "open commons".
Since the beginning of 2000s ("access denied") control of the cyberspace

increased through filtering, blocking and government intervention.
(Deibert et al, 2012). Since the mid-2000's methods of control extended
and they became more subtle and nuanced ("access controlled"). More

targeted and specified controlling mechanisms were introduced: "Just in
time" optimizing and registration and licensing requirements were
applied to identify users. Governments were no more the main
stakeholder of control, but public-private partnerships increased.

(Deibert et al, 2012).
In 2010s the models of control have become even more refined and
involved in a level of internet architecture and principles and protocols

of technologies. Control of internet is no more limited on totalitarian
countries, but it has been adapted as a global norm (Deibert &
Rohozinski, 2010). Governments do not any more ask if internet can be

regulated, but rather how to regulate internet and how regulation should
be carried out most efficiently. At the same time, there is a growing
public realization about the power relations of internet. The influence of

powerful actors and their battles over power and control of the
cyberspace has become evident. Large civil society reactions have
emerged against extended control mechanisms ("access contested").
(Deibert et al, 2010)

During the latest phase of control privatization of censorship and
data surveillance has increased. Indeed, the most of cyberspace is owned
and operated by private companies. These companies may include e.g.

technology and telecommunication companies, service providers (ISPs,
OSPs), advertisers and technology developers, surveillance technology
companies, content producers, publishers and media. If a trend of
privatization continues, censorship and surveillance may turn into the

hands of it's strong commercial players, like cloud-computing services,
Internet exchanges, and telecommunications companies. (Deibert et al,
2012)

Paradoxes of democracy
Internet and social media do not necessarily go hand in hand with
the democracy, although many technology utopists have had this type of

ideals. Internet alone has not turned out to enhance democratic
development, transparency and fair governance. There are many other