Securitization of cyberspace governance and the right to privacy: cases of the Us, China, and Iceland

Abstract

This thesis adopts securitization theory to analyse the securitization of cyberspace governance in different parts of the world to understand how the securitization of cyberspace governance affects the right to privacy, because securitization and the right to privacy are intertwined. Every step taken by states regarding securitization has crucial impacts on the right to privacy either positive or negative manner. The thesis asks: “How do the USA, China, and Iceland securitize cyberspace governance, and what is the relationship between the securitization of cyberspace governance and the right to privacy in these countries?” To answer this question, the thesis analyzes the National Cybersecurity Strategies and Freedom on the Net reports that were published in the post-2015 period. The thesis observes a complicated relationship between the securitization of cyberspace governance and the right to privacy. What governments declare and the results of their actions in the securitization process can be inconsistent as in the US, can be consistent as in Iceland, and can be consistent and inconsistent at the same time as in China. According to the comparison of cases with each other, a free and not-free state can take non-democratic measures to secure cyberspace governance.