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China orders a major internet crackdown

Warns ISPs to control online content over fears of revolt
Wed Aug 24 2011, 12:29

THE GLORIOUS PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC of China has ordered a widespread crackdown on the internet in attempts to prevent uprisings like those seen in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

The secretary of the Communist Party, Liu Qi has warned internet service providers (ISPs) in the country that they must tighten control of online content to "prevent the spread of fake and harmful information" and that the internet companies should "resist" such information, the Associated Press reports.

It's not clear how the Chinese government expects the ISPs to control content online, but it's likely that it wants them to monitor people's online activities and disconnect those participating in the spread of dissenting views.

The exact punishment for not cooperating was not disclosed, but Beijing could shut down an ISP altogether if it proves defiant.

The government-approved Beijing Internet Media Association also called on its 104 members to police the internet for "rumors or vulgar contents", saying that the public "should be led toward a correct direction" - the proper direction being support of the government, of course.

The internet played a huge role in the overthrow of repressive regimes in northern Africa, including Tunisia, Egypt and, more recently although to a lesser extent, Libya. Protests were organised via Twitter and Facebook, showing the power of social networking, and when the plug was pulled on the internet, Google developed a tool by which users could text tweets from their mobile phones. A similar approach could conceivably be taken in China if the clampdown gets out of hand.

China's equivalent of Twitter, Sina, which has over 140 million users, has been a particular focus of censorship. The company has been forced to monitor users, with over 100 employees checking for dissenting views 24 hours a day. Of course, with such a large user base it might be impossible to censor everything.

Internet censorship has existed in China for many years and resulted in Google partially withdrawing from the country, redirecting its mainland search engine to the Hong Kong equivalent. Many foreign web sites are banned in the country, but this latest move marks one of the strictest crackdowns on internet freedom, which could cause more upset and dissent amongst its citizens. µ

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Comments
yes he is right

He has it right, it is nothing but a tool for the criminals

posted by : danson, 27 August 2011 Complain about this comment
Obama

Sounds just like what Obama and his bunch of MAFARIAA payed politicians want to do in the excited states.If they have their way you'll all be wearing ID tags buy the end pf the year....ah so much for the land o the free well at least Canada still has a shot at staying free we voted in a conservative government that believes in small government unlike those Liberal scum to the south of us!

posted by : Brent, 24 August 2011 Complain about this comment
Carnivore

Funny, the US has the FBI tool known as Carnivore to listen in on all information that travels through the net via ISPs. "Home of the free", we're more like China everyday. The wealth class wants to know what the "people" are up to.

posted by : Ajax, 24 August 2011 Complain about this comment
Seriously, IT Guy?

Who was pushing the "fairness doctrine" claiming that "right wing radio" was overpowering watery liberal radio that usually shuts down (remember "Air America"?)

Pack your bags up and head for the UK but don't let the door hit you on the way out.

UK's IT outlook is very similar to the US: wages keep declining while you keep making the same amount of money, probably taking pay cuts, while cost of living increases.

posted by : Seriously, IT Guy, 24 August 2011 Complain about this comment
Looking forward

If the GOP wins the House and the Presidency in 2012, you can expect similar moves in the USA.

How's the job picture for IT techs in the UK? I can at least speak the language (I speak German too, but to live there again? Please! Just shoot me instead).

posted by : Morely the IT Guy, 24 August 2011 Complain about this comment
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