blokeerimise

Blokeerimise is the practice of preventing access to a digital resource, interrupting a communication channel, or restricting a service by blocking a user, device, or content. The term is used in Estonian IT and online moderation contexts and denotes the act of blocking in general, with the related noun form blokeerimine.

Applications of blokeerimise are diverse. In online platforms, moderation systems block or suspend accounts, hide or remove posts, and restrict interactions to curb abuse, spam, or policy violations. Internet service providers, government bodies, and organizations implement access restrictions to websites or services through methods such as DNS blocking, IP blocking, or geoblocking. Network operators may block traffic to contain threats or to enforce contractual or regulatory obligations. Blokeerimise can also occur at the device level, for example through parental controls or corporate security policies.

Techniques and mechanisms commonly used include IP address blocking, domain or URL filtering, firewall rules and access control lists, suspending or blocking user accounts, device-level blocks, and rate limiting. Geographical blocking may restrict access based on location. The choice of method depends on the resource, the threat or policy being addressed, and the desired balance between accessibility and protection.

Legal and ethical considerations accompany blokeerimise. It raises questions about safety, privacy, freedom of expression, and due process. Transparency of criteria, procedures for appeals, and minimization of collateral damage to legitimate users are often discussed in governance and policy debates. In practice, organisations weigh user protection against risks of over-blocking and censorship.

Related topics include content moderation, censorship, network security, geoblocking, and access control.