A growing number of Chinese government websites are becoming inaccessible to users outside of China, a trend researchers are calling a “reverse Great Firewall.” The shift, documented in a new study published this month, suggests a deliberate effort by Beijing to control the flow of information and prevent foreign data collection.
The research, published in the Journal of Cybersecurity on February 5, details how geo-blocking practices are increasingly being employed by Chinese authorities. These practices restrict access to online content based on a user’s internet protocol (IP) address, effectively preventing access from specific regions. Vincent Brussee, a PhD candidate at Leiden University in the Netherlands and the paper’s author, wrote that China’s authorities are “pioneering geo-blocking in the same way as they pioneered the ‘original’ Great Firewall.”
Whereas China’s Great Firewall has long been known for its censorship of internet content within the country, this new development represents a different approach – actively concealing information from the outside world. The study indicates that a significant, though currently unquantified, number of Chinese government websites are now inaccessible from outside the country. This contrasts with previous accessibility, raising concerns about transparency and open-source intelligence gathering.
The move comes as China faces increasing scrutiny over its data security practices and its efforts to control narratives both domestically and internationally. Reports have emerged detailing how Chinese companies are exporting surveillance technology, mirroring the capabilities of the Great Firewall, to other nations. According to a recent report by Global Voices, this export of censorship tools is enabling autocratic regimes to tighten their control over information.
The timing of this increased geo-blocking also coincides with other significant developments in China’s online presence. Just this week, the Chinese Defense Ministry launched an official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, a platform blocked within China. This move, reported by Vision Times, triggered public fury among Chinese citizens who view it as a circumvention of the exceptionally censorship measures imposed on them. The Defense Ministry’s foray onto the platform, despite the internal restrictions, highlights a complex and evolving strategy regarding information dissemination.
China’s technological capabilities in space are now extending to its internet control mechanisms. StratNews Global reported that elements of the Great Firewall now orbit Earth, suggesting a sophisticated and multi-layered approach to information control. This development raises questions about the future of internet access and data security in a world increasingly reliant on satellite technology.
The implications of this “reverse Great Firewall” are far-reaching. For overseas researchers, policymakers, and businesses, access to official Chinese data is becoming increasingly limited. This poses challenges for conducting due diligence, assessing risks, and understanding China’s policies and intentions. The Chinese government has not publicly commented on the increased geo-blocking, and it remains unclear whether this is a temporary measure or a long-term strategy.