China Retreats From Green Dam:
Remember the much anticipated Green Dam software that was to be installed on every computer in China? This software was supposed to have all sorts of blocking technology that would censor pornographic content from every computer, regardless of age or consent. With this installed, no Chinese citizen could access these sites. While it is quite an un-American notion to block someone from viewing something, it is acceptable to think that the government may be blocking content that they don’t qualify for age-wise, it seems they may have some ulterior motives. Consider the fact that along with pornography, they block all sorts of sites pertaining to anti-communist, or any banned spiritual movements. The banned movement of Falun Gong is always under fire by the Chinese for influencing their citizens, and because of this they have censored him in pretty much every medium.
The proposal initially was slated to have the software released on every computer in China, yet the public revolted against this. The software was to be mandatory installation on every computer, and the computer manufacturers were expected to incur these costs themselves. They didn’t like this, because they had to spend more money employing people to download it, while they charged the citizens the same amount, and therefore, were losing money. The citizens didn’t like it because through this, no matter what their age, they were blocked from the content. While the intention of blocking kids from pornographic content is a good and noble idea, blocking adults who are well over the required age is not. There are many holes in their plan as well. They did not consider that the people wouldn’t just roll over and endure this injustice, and they certainly did not. They fought and fought and almost boycotted the buying of computers until the software was deactivated. Turns out, they won their battle.
The Chinese are now running with their tail between their legs, and claim that the fact that the software was to be installed on every computer was a lie. They said that it was to be only done for schools, Internet cafes, and certain workplaces. Although this is doubtable as their original intention, at least they wised up for their wrongdoing. Or perhaps they just were afraid of upsetting the citizens of China to much. Either, problem solved.
Although it is highly unlikely (and unconstitutional) that anything like this will happen in America, never say never. It already happens on small scales as schools and workplaces. Often times bosses or teachers will block sites they feel are impertinent to the course matter or work stratum. Sometimes they block the wrong sites though, and the blocks need to be circumvented. By using a change IP proxy, you could get around these blocks easily. Using an IP changer will ensure that you won’t be tracked by a boss, teacher, or oppressive government while doing so either!
Jody Russel Says:
I am very interested in China and the middle east’s affairs, as part of my family is over there for my dad’s job. He says things are very different than in America, and that I should enjoy the safety and anonymity, not to mention freedom I enjoy here. He was actually in the area of the Green Dam software’s starting, so he witnessed all of these events unfold. It seems crazy that these creators of the software and the government could force people to use the software that restricts their use; it is like forcing them to tie a ball and chain around their leg so they can’t move far! This could never pass in the United States, we value our freedom and safety too much to allow someone to restrict us. My dad felt this was unjust, and so, as many other citizens do, he began to use an anonymous proxy, and this is how I hear from him today, due to most other forms of communication being blocked. If he didn’t surf anonymously, the government could arrest him for dissent, and I could never communicate with him!