Neelam Hiranandani
The Communist Party of China (CPC) has always been very conservative in terms of the content that its people could access over the Internet. In the past, the government authorities have banned countless websites and blogs with anti-CPC contents. Access to local information for overseas press and media has been tightly controlled as well. Recently, the People's Government has introduced a tracking software known as the Green Dam Youth Escort. This software acts as a firewall which blocks out websites and disables functions. Activities performed on the computer can also be monitored. The Chinese government has mandated every PC sold in China from July 1 must have the Green Dam installed, ‘to protect youth from unhealthy information’[1], says the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
A technology breakthrough or an international joke?
The introduction of Green Dam has put most US Computer Companies in dilemma. Since the software is developed by mainland Chinese Programmers, the compatibility of it with computers is a mystery. There are possibilities that the software could lead to a crash in computer Operating System.
Along with the great functions the software has, there are a couple of major security flaws. Firstly, there is an error in the way the software processes web sites it monitors. Blocking of nudity picture is a function Green Dam takes pride of. However, it was discovered that the mechanism by which Green Dam tracks the picture is by the percentage of yellow colour. Therefore, a picture showing a yellowish duck would be blocked as unsuitable content for young minds, while another showing nude African women would pass the test.
Secondly, there is a technical bug in the software as it installs blacklist updates. This problem allows the user of the computer running the Green Dam installed to take control of the computer. Furthermore, a source reported that the filtered files could be replaced by the Programmers which would allow them to take control of any computer where the software is installed and automatically filter updates.
Moreover, updates can be delivered to a third party who can impersonate the update server and take control of the user’s computers. Considering these vulnerabilities, one might think the decision made by China isn’t after all a good one. It is because this will not only disable one’s privacy and confidentiality but also interrupt the computer systems in China.
Freedom of Expression Concerned
Professor Feng Chongyi remarked that ‘it’s the only country in the world where Internet use is growing but freedom on the Internet is being reduced’[2]. Websites are blocked simply due to the leaders' concerns over "explicit and political" content, definition not provided.
The global trade bodies has sent a letter to Wen Jiabao, the Chinese prime minister. [3]The main issue highlighted in the letter was that of suspending the plan of the Internet filtering software. The letter was signed by major international organizations including the US, EU and Japanese chambers of commerce, and the US Information Technology Industry Council. This gesture points out that the rest of the world does not support china on this issue as they believe in giving their citizens the basic rights and freedoms, be it freedom of speech, or right to access information, and educate oneself.
The Amnesty International Report 2009 had stated clearly that freedom of speech of journalists as well as internet users are major serious human rights violations ongoing in China. Yet on 9 February 2009, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by UN Human Rights Council, member states were silent to that and together presented a positive report for China. This is disappointing provided that China is becoming economically stronger and a good relationship with China means prosperity and opportunities to many member states.
Let's just hope as the economy grows, CPC would never forget the importance of social harmony, and follow the prescious western virtues of Liberty and Democracy.
Reference:
[1] Thomas, A. (2009). Tiny Firewall of China mandated for new PCs. In TG Daily. Retrieved July 10, 2009 from http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/42745/140/
[2] Wang, D. (2009). China raises ‘Great Fire Wall’ on internet. In ABC News Australia. Retrieved July 10, 2009 from http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/24/2607284.htm
[3] Shanti, C. (2009). Chinese prime minister gets PC letter - Green Damnit. In TG Daily. Retrieved July 10, 2009 from http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/43041/103/
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