Who are the Enemies of the Internet? Reporters Without Borders Names 12 Censorship Ridden Nations

In celebration of World Day Against Cyber Censorship, activist group Reporters Without Borders named its new list of nations who have been deemed enemies of the Internet for their proclivity toward censoring the Web. Whether to quash popular uprisings, or stop online dissent during an election, more and more countries are turning to shutting down mobile phone networks or filtering content, according to the new report.

Reporters Without Borders' report features many reasons why a nation might be on the list. When countries tend toward removing content and pressuring technical service providers, they run the risk of making the list. Other reasons include, threatening net neutrality and online free speech, intrusive surveillance, using propaganda or even committing cyber attacks like DDoSing Web sites. Belarus, once under Soviet Union rule, and Bahrain both made the list after formerly being designated under surveillance by RWB. Venezuela and Libya, conversely, have been dropped from the list completely. The ten other countries to make the list have done so by continuing to restrict access to the Internet, tracking dissidents and pressuring companies to aid and abet government abuse. Start the slideshow to see the entire list.