China Mandates PC Companies Install Software That Censors
Source: http://blog.amnestyusa.org/business/china-mandates-pc-companies-install-software-that-censors/
Starting July 1, 2009, the Chinese government is mandating all PC makers such as Hewlett Packard and Dell install software that filters Internet content. The government says it is to help give parents control over inappropriate material, such as pornography, but Business Week reports that the software blocks political and religious websites. And after the government of China’s recent internet crackdown on the 20th anniversary of Tienanmen Square earlier this month, and the widely known controversial self-censorship of companies such as Yahoo and Google, it is clear that the Chinese government continues to use technology to suppress freedom of expression.
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Comments (1)
This is an outrageous attack against freedom of speech and information, and if these western PC manufacturers acquiesce to the Chinese government in this matter, they are directly endorsing and aiding in this flagrant human rights abuse. In addition, their compliance sets a dangerous precendent with the potential to spread its influence further across the globe, whilst also creating a situation where they will be held unaccountable for denying the Chinese people a basic human right. There must be a vigorous campaign aimed at these companies to ensure that they do not help the Chinese government deprive the Chinese people wherever possible, of their ability to nuture an inquiring and critical mind and form their own individual opinions, which is an attitude that is abhorrent to any civilised nation.
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