Final Answer:
Authoritarian governments justify restricting citizens' Internet access on the grounds of maintaining control and suppressing dissent.
Authoritarian governments have justified limiting citizens' access to the Internet on the grounds of preserving control, suppressing dissent, and safeguarding national security.
Step-by-step explanation:
Authoritarian governments employ various justifications for restricting citizens' Internet access:
Preserving Control: Autocratic regimes argue that controlling online information prevents the spread of dissent and maintains stability. By limiting access, they seek to shape the narrative and control the flow of information, reinforcing their authority.
Suppressing Dissent: Restricting Internet access is often linked to suppressing political opposition. Authoritarian leaders fear the power of social media and online platforms to mobilize dissent, making censorship a tool to prevent the organization of protests or movements challenging their rule.
Safeguarding National Security: Governments claim that limiting Internet access is necessary to protect national security. They argue that controlling online communication prevents the dissemination of sensitive information that could threaten the state's stability or be exploited by external forces.
In summary, the justifications for limiting Internet access by authoritarian governments are intertwined with maintaining control over information, suppressing dissent, and safeguarding what they perceive as threats to national security.