China’s Internet Firewall
In 2012, China was leading the way for developing countries as its internet user count hit 600 million. In a country of 1.3 billion people that is saying a lot. Do the Math. In fact official data shows most of the users connectivity is through mobile devices. An ever increasing number of people in China stay online using micro blogging services and social networking sites. It is estimated that by 2015 China will have more than 800 million Internet users, many of which will be from rural regions. The Chinese have their own versions of the Western Micro blogging sites. Renren is the equivalent of Facebook, Baidu=Google, Sina Weibo=Twitter, and Youku is the equivalent of Youtube.
This in a situation when the nation imposes strict internet censorship on its users. China’s internet firewall is the country’s system of online restriction. The new government and the new leader worry about the power the internet holds, curbing its free use will not only restrict and control free publishing but will also put an end to any potential threat to the single party communist regime. This is an age when China promises economic reforms and better living standards to its citizens.
The National Peoples Congress (NPC) has passed a new law asking users toregister their real names with the internet service providers. Earlier the citizens did not have to do so and could use alternate pseudonyms to register. This new tightening of internet usage is “intended to better protect Internet users’ privacy and provide a legal basis for safeguarding online information safety to ensure the healthy and orderly development of the Internet”, an NPC spokesperson has claimed .
China’s internet firewall is the result of online expose`s of the officials wrong doings on Chinese micro blogging sites. Internet users have often used the sites for anonymous complains about corruption and official abuse. Citizens who at times wish to speak in complete confidence about a specific individual or company’s misconduct cannot do so now.
In a report published by “Reporters without borders”, it seems a large number of governments are resorting to cyber crime, surveillance and intrusions on dissidents and journalists to curb the freedom of speech. This report is published on the eve of World Day against Cyber-Censorship. Syria, China, Iran, Bahrain and Vietnam are the top five nations who regularly conduct systematic online surveillance. This is a serious violation of human rights.
At the Big Tent Activate summit held in New Delhi on Thursday, Eric Schmidt the Executive Chairman of Google described China as the most egregious example of a nation attempting to control the internet. In his interview with Guardian’s Editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger, Schmidt talked about the New York times computers being hacked by the Chinese.
One wonders at the potential and danger of this information which is being surveyed and can only hope that it does more good than harm.
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