IntroductionThe digital age has totally revolutionized the way interactions between human beings take place. Traditionally, human interaction often only occurred in social settings such as schools, workplaces, libraries, restaurants, etc. However, through online communication, human interaction has been reorganized in the sense that a techno-cultural virtual world has been created which facilitates the possibility of anonymous relationships. Online communication, facilitated by the Internet, has also offered many benefits to the end user in terms of how organizations and governments provide services. It is very easy to access crucial government information, read about new laws that have been created, and most importantly, express your opinion on a particular issue. This is primarily why many commentators see the Internet as a key enabler for freedom of expression and the dissemination of information. However, even if it is necessary to view technological innovations positively, they are still exposed to double standards and, as such, can also have their downside. The purpose of this article is to critically analyze the effects of surveillance on human communication online. LiteratureReporters Without Borders (2014) review presents a detailed list of some of the institutions worldwide involved in surveillance of citizens' or online users' communications in their countries. . Their report is titled “Enemies of the Internet” and seeks to inform the reader that it is not the entire government apparatus that is responsible for Internet surveillance, but rather small, distinct entities. They include the National Security Agency (NSA), The Syria Computer Society (SCS), Department 27...... middle of document......htmlRodriguez, K. (2013). Internet Surveillance and Free Speech: UN Makes the Connection. Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Accessed June 25, 2014, from https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/06/internet-and-surveillance-UN-makes-the-connectionReporters Without Borders. (2014). Enemies of the Internet. RSF. Accessed June 25, 2014, from http://12mars.rsf.org/wp-content/uploads/EN_RAPPORT_INTERNET_BD.pdf United Nations Human Rights Council. (2013). Impact of state surveillance on privacy and freedom of expression. UNHRC. Retrieved June 25, 2014, from https://info.publicintelligence.net/UN-StateSurveillancePrivacy.pdfWu, T., Chung, J., Yamat, J., & Richman, J. (2014). The ethics of surveillance. Stanford University. Accessed June 25, 2014, from http://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/cs181/projects/ethics-of-surveillance/ethics.html