Where Is Internet Freedom Needed Most? [VIDEO]

There's a war going on right now between Internet users and governments to decide whether and how available technology should be used.

In places such as Iran, Bahrain and China, Internet access can be limited, with content censored, traffic aggressively monitored and basic freedom restricted or nonexistent.

The web has played an increasing role in community and political life during recent political discord and change in the Middle East and North Africa. As such, Internet freedom is becoming more of a basic necessity than ever before. The Internet has become both a gathering place and a battleground in its own right.

In fact, the United Nations recently stated that disconnecting people from the Internet is a violation of their rights and is against international law.

SEE ALSO: Just How Open Is Your Internet? [INFOGRAPHICS]

In response to restrictions of freedom that have included entire Internet outages in some countries, many organizations have taken matters into their own hands. Companies such as Google have protested censorship and launched new services to aid those in restricted regimes. And some hacktivist groups have gone so far as to take down government websites in web attacks that mirror on-the-ground protests.

While some are able to bypass restrictions through technologies, such as the award-winning Tor Project, others are not so fortunate. Check out this video on Internet freedom around the world.

[source: Column Five for What's Trending on CBSNews.com]

Top image based on a photograph from iStockphoto user pisagor.