Content Moderation

Why Does It Matter?

The EU is working on a project called DNS4EU, which would be “officially recommended” across the EU. There are some benefits to DNS that fits with European regulations and expectations, filtering things like spyware or malware. There are also risks, especially if it becomes a default requirement.

For example, if you’re looking for reproductive or gender-affirming care in another country, your government could block access. That block wouldn’t just be for that information, but for the entire site containing it, cutting off access to services for everyone. 

Governments could decide to block content at the level of the network, even beyond borders where that content is legal. There’s already been a case where a German court demanded that a Swiss DNS provider block access to a website for copyright reasons. The court demanded that this block apply not just for its German customers, but globally.

In other words, if DNS is like a phone book, this would be like a government deciding that certain numbers can’t be listed in anyone’s phone book because of something that’s been said on a phone call. A DNS resolver with filters like this would be similar to a firewall, but one that could go beyond geographical borders.