Internet policing in China just got worse.
The Chinese Government has asked computer vendors to pre-bundle a web blocking software that will automatically block access to websites that are banned or considered illegal in China.
The ruling comes into effect from July 1 so whether you buy a Dell, HP or Lenovo in China, chances are high that your new Windows PC will come pre-installed with this blocking software so you can only visit sites that the government wants you to see. No BBC, YouTube, Wikipedia, Twitter or Blogger.
Green Dam-Youth Escort
This web blocking software, known as Green Dam-Youth Escort, has an auto-update feature so it will regularly download an updated list of banned sites from the Internet (like your antivirus definitions) and new site that gets banned in China instantly becomes inaccessible on your PC as well.
The Chinese government says that the software is intended to "block access to pornography" but it’s pretty obvious that they’ll use it to restrict content that is considered taboo in China including democracy, Tibet or Falun Gong.
Windows Only – The only good new is that the software is currently available only for Windows so Mac and Linux machines won’t come preloaded as of now.
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/internet/web-blocking-software-on-chinese-computers/8979/
Tags: Archives, block, censorship, china, Internet
Reader Comments
Hackers will soon find out ways to render that software useless!
Written by Debjit Saha on 06.08.09
Amit Ji ,
If Govt. of China wants to stop pornography by installing Web Blocking softwares in window , that is not worse but the good news to who hates pornography , I also think that porn videos and contents are decreasing character of Youth and It must be banned also in India . I have also read you one article
What do you use Google for ? In which you have showed graphically that 25% to 30 % persons are just finding porn sites on Google . It means that no. of youth are not looking useful and valuable contents on net but just wasting their time and energy without getting any education .
Written by Vinod Kumar on 06.08.09
in the name of pornography, the chinese govt is banning the Tibet’s case from the chinese citizens so as to make them unaware of the situations which the Tibetan peoples face…
Written by sam on 06.08.09
Just another reason why the world looks at China and shakes it’s head. As for the comment from the above user, if you decide that pornography is not something people should have access to because it is ‘wasting youths time’ what about gaming? And reading comics, what about listening to music? Where does it stop? That is the issue here, not the fact that people are looking at boobies which is about as destructive as reading a comic. What is destructice is TELLING people what they should and shouldn’t read.
At one stage the Church restricted access to science because they felt the same way. Information is only damaging if your mind is already damaged, in which case, blame your PARENTS. Perhaps you should look at your society, and the way it repress you and comment on how that is bad. The Chinese are restricted so badly that most are addicted to online gaming as a means of escape.
Stop looking at the EFFECT and look at the CAUSE.
Written by reay on 06.08.09
Dear reay
I like your last line . Of course , We should look at the cause and stop to look at the effect . reading a comic and reading of porn comics are two different things . I have also read educational comics which play vital role for providing me education and indian cultural values and entertainment in my childhood . Same thing , apply on internet . Matter is not just China , but this is matter of all parents who want to build the character of their dear children and if I am favour to stop pornography , It means , I am favour of every nobal and well civilized parents who are interested to develop ideal personality of their children .
Chinese Govt. action is just beginning and You will see this revolution will soon cover whole world and world will soon free from porn evil .
addiction or habit are all mind matter . Online games also harmful for growing of children because , chidlen spend their time in playing online game and do not do any physical exercise and today , young person can not pick just 50 kgs weight . So state of punjab has reduced the weight of 100 kgs grain bags to 25 kgs . So , that they can deliver it to the home of peoples . So , you can understand better what is good for children and youth online game or offline physical game in ground
Written by Vinod on 06.09.09
What stops a person from formatting his PC? Installing an older version of Windows i.e. one released before the ban should ensure absence of the software.
Written by Anand on 06.10.09
none sense !!!
I remember, Pakistan somehow screwed up 3rd level IP table in order to block access to Youtube.. Back then, Pak was isolated from Internet..
Wish something similar happens with China !!!
Thanks.
Written by Choto Cheeta on 06.10.09
It has stirred up a huge controversy among chinese netizen.according to chinese government, The fee of sucking software is 41.7 million one year.So unbelievable.
Written by daniel on 06.11.09
Just go to a Chinese forum like Tianya.cn etc, no one in China like this stupid software except the government.
The harder the CN government censor, the faster Chinese will have the freedom.
Written by Kingbird on 06.13.09