China scales back plans for anti-pornography software filter
source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/14/world/asia/14censor.html?hp
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- current89
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BEIJING — Chinese officials retreated on Thursday from a plan to install so-called anti-pornography software on every computer sold here, saying instead that Internet cafes, schools and other public places must use the program, but that individual consumers will be spared.
The industry and information technology minister, Li Yizhong, said the notion that the program, called Green Dam/Youth Escort, would be required on every new computer was “a misunderstanding” spawned by poorly written regulations.
The ministry order, first issued last May 19, had stirred an outcry from Chinese Internet users and foreign computer manufacturers alike, arguing that the software ran counter to China’s proclaimed goal of creating an information-based society.
The United States warned China that the installation requirement could be seen as a violation of world trade regulations.
Although the government insists that the program is meant to shield children from online pornography, its filter — automatically updated by the government — targeted many topics with political overtones. Free-speech advocates said that the program was a government attempt to extend its control of political opinions into people’s living rooms.
The information ministry previously had suspended the Green Dam pre-installation mandate on June 30, one day before it was to take effect, saying that computer makers needed more time to accommodate it in their manufacturing.
end of excerpt
Source: The New York times Online
The industry and information technology minister, Li Yizhong, said the notion that the program, called Green Dam/Youth Escort, would be required on every new computer was “a misunderstanding” spawned by poorly written regulations.
The ministry order, first issued last May 19, had stirred an outcry from Chinese Internet users and foreign computer manufacturers alike, arguing that the software ran counter to China’s proclaimed goal of creating an information-based society.
The United States warned China that the installation requirement could be seen as a violation of world trade regulations.
Although the government insists that the program is meant to shield children from online pornography, its filter — automatically updated by the government — targeted many topics with political overtones. Free-speech advocates said that the program was a government attempt to extend its control of political opinions into people’s living rooms.
The information ministry previously had suspended the Green Dam pre-installation mandate on June 30, one day before it was to take effect, saying that computer makers needed more time to accommodate it in their manufacturing.
end of excerpt
Source: The New York times Online
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- groups:
- Community, Tech, Current Tonight, Sex and Love, 5 more
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- tags:
- China, Software, Computers, Censorship, 3 more
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jubal
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Censorship is a bitch that can bite back.
- 2 years ago
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jubal
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Thomas_Morse
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They are having legal issues with the filter software.
It seems they stole chunks of code from existing software.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/18/content_11558594.htm
- 2 years ago
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Thomas_Morse
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CalgarC
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they can block the porn sites, but how will they stop people from downloading it through file-sharing ( torrents, kazaa etc...)
- 2 years ago
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CalgarC
