Soon after governments announcement to dictate a code of conduct for the social media networks and other websites, there has been reassurances pouring in from all major social networking giants that they would remove content that violates their terms. But looks like this is falling on deaf ears, with government indicating a hardening its stance.
But the question arises, can government filter the internet?? Similar issue was earlier raised in Australia in 2008. But the legislation to enact this policy still has not been drafted till date. It also happened in few other countries like - China, Pakistan, Myanmar and Saudi - And India surely would not want to be a part of this group. So can it happen in India is still a question. But as far as I feel, this is difficult and illogical and here are my few take as to why?? --
(1) The web filter would slow down the internet - with posts appearing after days. Can the government provide us an alternative to that??
(2) The Web filter can be easily bypassed by a proxy server.
(3) The web filter's implementation, deployment and maintenance costs would be footed by the tax-payer (I am sure no body love that :))
(4) The web filter cannot block peer to peer sites, which are responsible for most of the file sharing across the globe.
Leaving aside all these technicality, we live in a matured society. And everyone has his own sense of judgment. If someone want to look at these offensive material, no matter what you do, he will get to that by all means. So unless the mentality is changed, noting can be achieved. All technology can be broken - No matter how 'LATEST' it is.
So, to start with, instead of dictating a code of conduct, a rational request from India to Google or Facebook to bring down offensive content will be heard -- regardless of jurisdiction.
But the question arises, can government filter the internet?? Similar issue was earlier raised in Australia in 2008. But the legislation to enact this policy still has not been drafted till date. It also happened in few other countries like - China, Pakistan, Myanmar and Saudi - And India surely would not want to be a part of this group. So can it happen in India is still a question. But as far as I feel, this is difficult and illogical and here are my few take as to why?? --
(1) The web filter would slow down the internet - with posts appearing after days. Can the government provide us an alternative to that??
(2) The Web filter can be easily bypassed by a proxy server.
(3) The web filter's implementation, deployment and maintenance costs would be footed by the tax-payer (I am sure no body love that :))
(4) The web filter cannot block peer to peer sites, which are responsible for most of the file sharing across the globe.
Leaving aside all these technicality, we live in a matured society. And everyone has his own sense of judgment. If someone want to look at these offensive material, no matter what you do, he will get to that by all means. So unless the mentality is changed, noting can be achieved. All technology can be broken - No matter how 'LATEST' it is.
So, to start with, instead of dictating a code of conduct, a rational request from India to Google or Facebook to bring down offensive content will be heard -- regardless of jurisdiction.
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