Suprablog HQ

Today, the IT ministry of China released Green Dam-Youth Escort, a program blocking some sites like pornography and other explicit materials. Programs, either released on CD or preinstalled on new computers are expected to be released starting as early as July 1.

How does this affect the global internet community? According to AP:

Beijing routinely blocks political sites, especially ones it considers socially destabilizing such as sites that challenge the ruling Communist Party, promote democratic reform or advocate independence for Tibet.

Although porn sites are initially targeted, the program could be used to block other Web sites, too, including those based on keywords rather than specific Web addresses, although its developer said users could disable blocking of any site on the list or even uninstall the software completely.

Unfortunately, this may include such sites as Google, and Baidu, both search engines. The Communist Party seeks to protect children while limiting the rights of speech and communication with the world. Is this fair? Law dictates one thing, personal choice dictates others. Freedom of speech should be a global law, in this writer’s opinion.