To gain members' allegiance, cults systematically exert more and more control over members' social environment, time, and social support. One key aspect of this process is the manipulation of information members are allowed to come into contact with. Information must be controlled, distorted, and severely limited, in order for the group to suspend members' belief in otherwise outlandish things. Information which questions or contradicts the group's assertions are not permitted. Criticism of all kinds is not permitted.
Rules exist governing permissible topics to discuss with outsiders.
Just as the effectiveness of mind control depends upon regulating the information members are exposed to, providing full information is the key to helping cult members leave the destructive organizations they feel tied to. And knowing the truth about cultic organizations and how mind control works prevents others from joining. The Internet has provided an easy outlet for the millions of ex-cult members worldwide to tell their horror stories. Internet technology makes access to unimaginably huge amounts of information easy, fast, discrete, and inexpensive. Scientology is right to be threatened by the Internet in so far as the cult depends upon censoring the information its members are exposed to.