The Public Risk of Governments Controlling DNS Providers

The Silent Threat to Internet Freedom

Government control over DNS is more than a regulatory shift; it’s a direct threat to the freedom, privacy, and security of every Internet user. When authorities dictate how DNS operates, the consequences extend far beyond blocked websites. Censorship silences dissent, surveillance strips away privacy, security gaps put users at risk, and legal overreach tightens control over what should be an open and unrestricted space.

Neutral, independent DNS providers serve as a safeguard against these dangers. By maintaining a system free from political influence and resistant to government-imposed restrictions, neutral DNS providers ensure users can access the web without interference.

To counter this threat, it's critical for individuals and organizations to support those that are pushing back against government DNS control. Actions such as using privacy-focused DNS providers, actively supporting digital rights organizations, and advocating for Internet neutrality, are all a great way to bolster the fight against efforts to control DNS. Staying informed and vocal about governmental DNS regulation also helps get the message out regarding the preservation of the web as a secure, open resource. Protecting digital freedom requires collective vigilance, advocacy, and action — now more than ever.

The Risks of Government Control over DNS

The question is no longer whether governments will attempt to control DNS providers — it’s already happening. The real concern is what happens next and how these changes could undermine the security, privacy, and accessibility that users have come to expect.

Risk #1: Increased Censorship & Restricted Access to Information

Government-controlled DNS enables authorities to block websites that challenge official narratives, investigate corruption, or advocate for human rights. What begins as targeted filtering quickly escalates into broad censorship, restricting access to news outlets, academic research, and public forums. Countries like China, Russia, and North Korea already use extensive DNS-based blocklists to limit what citizens can see online. When governments dictate what information is available, the Internet ceases to be a tool for free expression.

Risk #2: Loss of Online Privacy and Mass Surveillance

Controlling DNS gives governments the ability to track and log every website a user visits, creating an extensive record of their online behavior. This data can be used to monitor political opposition, suppress dissent, or prosecute individuals based on their browsing history. Surveillance programs have shown how governments can misuse Internet traffic data when given access. Once DNS logging is mandated, privacy becomes an illusion.

Risk #3: Weakened Cybersecurity & Higher Risk of Cyber Attacks
Many DNS providers, including Quad9, actively block known malicious domains to protect users from cyber threats. A government-controlled system may strip away these protections, exposing users to malware, phishing attacks, and botnets. Centralized DNS records also become prime targets for hackers. When security takes a backseat to government oversight, entire networks become vulnerable.

Risk #4: The Danger of Legal Overreach & Mission Creep

Governments often justify DNS control by citing enhanced national security or the need to combat illegal content, but once these systems are in place the scope often expands. Restrictions initially focused on piracy or extremist content can quickly be applied to independent journalism, political criticism, or even competitors in the marketplace. Laws and regulations surrounding DNS control have demonstrated how policies designed for one purpose can be reinterpreted to justify mass surveillance and expanded government authority that can infringe on privacy and civil liberties. When DNS enforcement powers grow unchecked, rolling them back becomes nearly impossible.

Risk #5: Harm to the Global Internet Ecosystem

If each country implements its own version of government-controlled DNS, the Internet fragments into isolated networks, where access depends on location rather than universal standards (often referred to as a “Splinternet”). This can create barriers for businesses, journalists, researchers, and human rights organizations who rely on cross-border communication and unrestricted information flow. It also contradicts international agreements on digital rights, including UN resolutions that recognize access to information as a fundamental right. A divided Internet weakens global security and collaboration, and it limits innovation.

Ultimately, when governments take control of DNS, the risks extend far beyond website access.

The Quad9 Perspective: Why Neutral, Private DNS Matters

As governments push for greater control over DNS providers, the need for independent, non-profit, and privacy-focused alternatives has never been more critical. Quad9 supports the fundamental principles of a free and open web by prioritizing security and privacy.

A DNS Provider Should Be a Neutral Custodian, Not a Gatekeeper

DNS providers play a crucial role in connecting users to the Internet, but they should not decide what content is accessible or who can see it. When governments pressure DNS services to block, filter, or log traffic the Internet shifts from an open network to a controlled system dictated by political or legal agendas. Quad9 maintains a strict no-tracking policy, ensuring that users reach the content they request without manipulation or restriction.

Resisting Censorship and Surveillance

Quad9 has faced legal challenges from entities seeking to force DNS blocking of certain websites, but it remains committed to defending Internet freedom and will continue to actively challenge efforts to turn DNS into a tool for enforcement. By operating under Swiss jurisdiction, which has strong data protection laws and no mandatory logging requirements, Quad9 is able to better shield its users from government surveillance

What Does Quad9 Do With Your Data?

Privacy is at the core of Quad9’s mission meaning they do not collect or store personally identifiable information, log browsing history, or sell your personal data. When a DNS request is made, it is processed without recording IP addresses, preventing any possibility of tracking or profiling users. Additionally, Quad9 employs security-driven filtering, blocking known malicious domains without compromising access to legitimate content. This approach balances online safety with digital freedom, allowing users to navigate the Internet more securely and privately. In fact, Quad9 published a thorough explanation of how they handle your data.

The Takeaway | A Future of Free and Secure Internet is at Risk

The Internet was built as a network of limitless potential, where ideas could be shared without fear and knowledge could flow without barriers. If DNS control is handed to those who seek to regulate thought, track movement, and dictate access, the Internet will no longer be a space of innovation and connection — it will become a controlled pipeline of sanctioned information.

Your choices today are shaping the Internet of tomorrow. By using privacy-first DNS providers, supporting digital rights organizations, and standing against policies that turn the Internet into a tool for control, you become part of a movement to preserve your digital autonomy .

The fight for online freedom is not a battle for the next generation, it is happening now. Stay informed, stay private, and most importantly stay in control of how you connect to the world.