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US Navy begins developing onion routing
The US Navy begins finding ways to hide the location of internet traffic.
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Communications Decency Act
The US enacts the Communications Decency Act, which bans "indecent" material on the internet.
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Digital Millennium Copyright Act
The U.S. passes the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which criminalizes the dissemination of technology meant to overcome copyright protections. Link text -
“Great Firewall of China”
China’s Ministry of Public Security launches the “Golden Shield” initiative to limit citizens’ access to material seen as disruptive to country leadership. The Golden Shield grows into the “Great Firewall of China,” one of the world’s most comprehensive internet censorship programs. Link text -
VPNs published
Specifications for the first “Virtual Private Network” (VPN) are published online. Link text -
9/11 Attacks
Terrorists attack the US, causing an increase in the American government's surveillance of American internet users. Link text -
Net Neutrality Order
The FCC approves a Net Neutrality order that designates ISPs “Common Carriers” and forbids discriminatory blocking or throttling. Link text -
Net Neutrality Order repealed
The FCC repeals its earlier net neutrality order.
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VPN crack down in China
China “hardens” its Great Firewall by cracking down on VPN services. link text