Kazakhstan
Overview
Kazakhstan has made transitioning to an information society a priority; its targeted investments to improve ICT infrastructure and Internet access, as well as to increasingly digitize government services, have consistently earned it high marks overall from the World Economic Forum’s Networked Readiness Report. While these positive steps have created a relatively competitive and liberalized telecommunications market, the government’s heavy-handed censorship of online content and monitoring of online traffic remain a serious concern, particularly with regard to political content critical of the government. News sites, blogging platforms, and some social networks have been subject to repeated and prolonged blocks, and recent legislative amendments have only strengthened government regulatory power.
Access
Internet use has grown rapidly in recent years. In 2012, the number of fixed broadband connections in the country stood at nearly 10 per 100 inhabitants. Kazakhstan’s impressive gains in this area are in large part attributable to the government’s determined efforts to improve ICT infrastructure. Most recently, in early 2013, the President approved the "Informational Kazakhstan – 2020" initiative, aimed at creating a hospitable nation-wide environment for ICT innovation, access, and development. Sponsored by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the program focuses on increasing efficient e-governance and digital public administrative services, as well as bridging the geographic and economic digital divide through the creation of e-learning centers, computer literacy courses, and increased infrastructure. Access in rural areas remains a significant issue, but recently, the government has made progress towards digitizing governmental services and has offered access to those services at various public service centers throughout the country. Growing access to 3G networks has also made it easier for citizens without computers to access the Internet using their phones. Cyber cafes exist throughout the country and in large urban areas wifi hotspots have also become popular. Although the telecommunications industry is liberalized and fairly competitive, the country's largest Internet service provider is the 51 percent state-owned Kazakhtelecom.
Control
Government censorship and Internet activity monitoring is a serious concern in Kazakhstan. After a spell of violent events in the country’s western region in 2011, a communications crackdown went into effect and Twitter was blocked throughout the country. In January 2012, amendments to the country's Law of National Security came into force allowing government agencies to block communication services in the name of national security during counter-terrorism operations or during the suppression of mass riots. In early 2012, the TOR project reported the use of deep packet inspection in Kazakhstan to censor the Internet. While the Internet remains relatively free compared to the more tightly controlled broadcast networks in Kazakhstan, repeated and sometimes long standing blocks against blogging platforms and independent media outlets have been reported.
Activity
The Internet is playing an increasingly important role in the lives of average Kazakhs. Many news organizations and broadcast networks have launched online components, including websites and social media accounts. In response to content censorship online, some news organizations and bloggers use various tactics to circumvent government blockages, including circumvention tools and distributing reports through email, listservs, and social media outlets. The Internet has provided space for various social and minority groups to organize more effectively and has also empowered digital activists pushing various political agendas. In June 2013, for instance, Kazakhstan's netizens took to Facebook in widespread protest of a pension reform that would have increased retirement age for women from 58 to 63. During this period, a political gaffe by the country's Minister of Social Affairs went viral online and prompted widespread memes and discussion in the country's blogosphere and across social networks. The minister was subsequently fired, and the pension bill amended to allow for a gradual transition to increasing the retirement age.
Internet use has grown rapidly in recent years. In 2012, the number of fixed broadband connections in the country stood at nearly 10 per 100 inhabitants. Kazakhstan’s impressive gains in this area are in large part attributable to the government’s determined efforts to improve ICT infrastructure. Most recently, in early 2013, the President approved the "Informational Kazakhstan – 2020" initiative, aimed at creating a hospitable nation-wide environment for ICT innovation, access, and development. Sponsored by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the program focuses on increasing efficient e-governance and digital public administrative services, as well as bridging the geographic and economic digital divide through the creation of e-learning centers, computer literacy courses, and increased infrastructure. Access in rural areas remains a significant issue, but recently, the government has made progress towards digitizing governmental services and has offered access to those services at various public service centers throughout the country. Growing access to 3G networks has also made it easier for citizens without computers to access the Internet using their phones. Cyber cafes exist throughout the country and in large urban areas wifi hotspots have also become popular. Although the telecommunications industry is liberalized and fairly competitive, the country's largest Internet service provider is the 51 percent state-owned Kazakhtelecom.
Government censorship and Internet activity monitoring is a serious concern in Kazakhstan. After a spell of violent events in the country’s western region in 2011, a communications crackdown went into effect and Twitter was blocked throughout the country. In January 2012, amendments to the country's Law of National Security came into force allowing government agencies to block communication services in the name of national security during counter-terrorism operations or during the suppression of mass riots. In early 2012, the TOR project reported the use of deep packet inspection in Kazakhstan to censor the Internet. While the Internet remains relatively free compared to the more tightly controlled broadcast networks in Kazakhstan, repeated and sometimes long standing blocks against blogging platforms and independent media outlets have been reported.
The Internet is playing an increasingly important role in the lives of average Kazakhs. Many news organizations and broadcast networks have launched online components, including websites and social media accounts. In response to content censorship online, some news organizations and bloggers use various tactics to circumvent government blockages, including circumvention tools and distributing reports through email, listservs, and social media outlets. The Internet has provided space for various social and minority groups to organize more effectively and has also empowered digital activists pushing various political agendas. In June 2013, for instance, Kazakhstan's netizens took to Facebook in widespread protest of a pension reform that would have increased retirement age for women from 58 to 63. During this period, a political gaffe by the country's Minister of Social Affairs went viral online and prompted widespread memes and discussion in the country's blogosphere and across social networks. The minister was subsequently fired, and the pension bill amended to allow for a gradual transition to increasing the retirement age.