Censorship Industrial Complex Exposed: UK Column’s Mike Robinson and Harley Schlanger Trace the Origins of Global Surveillance and Narrative Control In this in-depth interview, Harley Schlanger of the Executive Intelligence Review speaks with Mike Robinson, co-editor of UK Column, to uncover the historical and institutional foundations of the modern censorship and surveillance apparatus. Key topics include: DARPA’s Total Information Awareness Program (2002): Launched post-9/11 under John Poindexter, this initiative laid the groundwork for mass metadata collection and predictive profiling—capabilities now enhanced by AI infrastructure. UK Leadership in Internet Regulation: David Cameron’s 2015 UN General Assembly speech, delivered months after the Maidan events, marked a pivotal call for government oversight of online speech. Theresa May later convened social media executives at Downing Street and secured G7 agreements on synchronized narrative dissemination. EU Digital Services Act and UK Online Safety Act: Recent examples include LinkedIn’s content removals, the rollout of digital IDs, and mandates linking government-issued digital IDs to online accounts—effectively ending anonymous speech. Encryption and Privacy Under Assault: The UK government has challenged Apple over iCloud encryption, demanded pre-approval for cryptographic updates under the Investigatory Powers Act, and continues to push for backdoor access—moves that threaten secure communications worldwide. Anglo-American Intelligence Integration: Close operational ties between MI6 and CIA, GCHQ and NSA, and the Five Eyes alliance. UK intelligence played a central role in originating the Russiagate narrative and the Skripal/Salisbury Novichok operation. NGO-Driven Influence Networks: The Integrity Initiative—exposed through leaked documents and a nonexistent Scottish headquarters—built clusters of journalists and influencers to promote anti-Russian narratives. Similar efforts continue via BBC Media Action (training Syrian opposition media since 2004), Thomson Reuters Foundation, and the Zinc Network. Foreign Office Funding Transparency: UK Column’s database at fcdospending.ukcolumn.org tracks billions in grants to organizations including the British Council, White Helmets, and Bellingcat—revealing the financial backbone of “soft power” operations. The Spiral of Self-Censorship: Ideological bundling and pre-bunking tactics discourage open discourse. Accusations of “conspiracy theory” are countered with primary-source documentation, not speculation.