The Great Firewall was so successful for the Chinese ruling class that it will eventually be implemented everywhere to keep the cattle classes in check.
While I disagree with your equivalence, i think it's undeniable that gfw-lite is certainly coming. Italy/Spain/France routinely block dns and are prepping the legal framework for vpns. Ofcom has extraordinary power in England. Australia has already passed all the recent legislation blocked in the US/UK.
Notably though, for all the know-it-alls on this site. Its not the spy agencies getting these powers.
> Notably though, for all the know-it-alls on this site. Its not the spy agencies getting these powers.
How could you possibly know, though? A big issue with these schemes is the complete lack of transparency and any form of due process. Websites are getting blocked without any information being provided, so how are you supposed to distinguish a copyright-related block from a block demanded by a spy agency, or the ISP CEO's golf buddy?
Europe may be too far gone but hopefully the US will be OK. If there is one silver lining it is that if any of the site blocking bills get serious consideration this is basically a parade of horribles on a plate for the opponents.
