March, 2010

Stories from March, 2010

Russia: Website Closed By Police Order

  26 March 2010

20marta.ru, an opposition website dedicated to the “Day of Anger” held on March 20, was closed by police after just one day of functioning, kasparov.ru reported. According to the source, the police have sent the letter informing that the website is closed due to inciting anti-government sentiment.

The Second Decade of Middle East Internet

  24 March 2010

In its second decade in the Middle East, the Internet has been increasingly challenging many of the region's governments – specifically dictatorships that impose strict limitations on civil freedoms. It has brought about the formation of pressure groups for social and political change on FaceBook, allowed for real-time coverage of...

Venezuela: Concerns About Controls on the Internet

  23 March 2010

Debate is heating up in Venezuela after decrees and statements from President Hugo Chávez, who questioned how the Internet is being used in the country. Many are interpreting these statements and policy proposals that the government wants control the Internet in Venezuela.

Blog for a Cause! is now available in Macedonian.

  22 March 2010

Blog for a Cause!, the Global Voices Guide of Blog Advocacy, is now available in Macedonian thanks to this translation by Elena Ignatova from Global Voices in Macedonian. Blog for a Cause! has already been translated into Spanish, French, Chinese and Arabic. The guide outlines easy-to-follow tips on how to...

China: Various aspects of censorship

  17 March 2010

March 12 was the World Day Against Cyber Censorship and Reporter without Border announced its latest list of “Enemies of the Internet” which points finger at China, among other authoritarian states. Jason Ng from Kenengba tries to enrich the discussion by outline various aspects of Chinese Internet censorship. 1. Non-transparent...

Egypt: Governmental Decision to Block Skype using USB Modem

  15 March 2010

It looks like the Egyptian Government attempts to control the cyberspace and netizens are moving forward. Although, Egypt didn’t witness many attempts to block websites and online services, the government follows different ways to keep an eye on what’s happening online, beside harassing bloggers and netizens. Two days ago, citizens...

Facebook Removes Moroccan Secularist Group and its Founder

14 March 2010

Note: The group has once again become accessible after several days, as pointed out in the comments.  El Ghazzali created a new profile for himself, and was able to do so without incident. Facebook did not respond to any requests for explanation. Over the past few years, Facebook has come...

One Post Against Cyber-Censorship

  11 March 2010

Do you believe in Freedom of Speech? Do you think its normal to be profiled or tracked while being online?! Do you think it’s your right to enjoy uncensored Internet search & blogging? Do you believe in Freedom of Information? Right to Access Information? Do you want to defend an...

China: Proposed regulations on Internet Cafes

  10 March 2010

This year, members of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have put forward a number of suggestions regarding legislation on regulation of Internet Cafes. Government run internet cafes According to local media report, CPPCC members Yan Qi suggested the government to run internet cafes...

Italy Convicts Three Google Executives for Privacy Violations

  1 March 2010

Last week, an Italian magistrate convicted three Google executives for violating Italian privacy laws for a video uploaded in late 2006 to Google Video, which showed a disabled child being bullied by other schoolchildren in Turin. This is the first case worldwide to hold the company's executives criminally responsible for the content posted on its system. Vivi Down, an Italian group representing people with Down syndrome, and the boy's father in Milan pushed for a criminal prosecution against four individual Google employees (one of them was charged only with the dismissed defamation charges).