Twitter looks to evade censors

MICROBLOGGING SERVICE Twitter is looking for technology it can use to circumvent censorship by oppressive authoritarian governments, including Iran and China.

According to the Financial Times, Twitter co-founder and CEO Evan Williams told the World Economic Forum in is Switzerland that third party developers are working on “interesting hacks” to block interference from foreign governments.

“We are partially blocked in China and other places and we were in Iran as well,” he said. “The most productive way to fight that is not by trying to engage China and other governments whose very being is against what we are about. I am hopeful there are technological ways around these barriers.”

Williams said that while Twitter was too small to take a stand like Google recently did with China, his company does have the advantage that it is “a network that is accessed in thousands of ways”, making it harder for foreign governments to control.

Williams said he thought Google’s stance over China’s censorship was admirable, although the FT, which has never seen any globalisation 'free trade' outsourcing or offshoring it didn't like, characterised Twitter as "part of vocal minority" for supporting Google.

Just what Williams means by “interesting hacks” is unclear. However, third party development could mean Twitter might have a get out of jail free card if it won’t be directly responsible for operating the technology.

Part of Williams' speech on the future of social networking at the World Economic Forum is available on video. µ