Friday, March 2, 2018

U.S. Tech Giants Are Acquiescing To Chinese Demands For Internet Censorship Across The Globe

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New York Times: China Presses Internet Censorship Across The Globe

SHANGHAI — Within its digital borders, China has long censored what its people read and say online. Now, it is increasingly going beyond its own online realms to police what people and companies are saying about it all over the world.

For years, China has exerted digital control with a system of internet filters known as the Great Firewall, which allows authorities to limit what people see online. To broaden its censorship efforts, Beijing is venturing outside the Great Firewall and paying more attention to what its citizens are saying on non-Chinese apps and services.

As part of that shift, Beijing has at times pressured foreign companies like Google and Facebook, which are both blocked in China, to take down certain content. At other times, it has bypassed foreign companies entirely and instead directly pushed users of global social media to encourage self-censorship.

This effort is accelerating as President Xi Jinping consolidates his power. The Chinese leadership is expected to officially abolish term limits at a meeting that begins next week, giving Mr. Xi outsize authority over the country’s direction.

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WNU Editor: With no blow-back from U.S. tech companies against China .... this will only embolden Beijing to demand even more restrictions on content even though these internet platforms cannot reach China because of their fire-wall.

2 comments:

jac said...

WNU,
You are 100% right. US need to take appropriate action for countering China. If China want to do what it want on its own country, that's okay. But going farther is a huge threat: why not asking Google and other's to follow a Chinese policy (on everything) in USA?
I feel we are as weak as Chamberlain on his time.

Anonymous said...

Its not just China. I have been muted for over 90 days on facebook and with every mute there is increasing police propaganda. I am one of a few who stands up to their bullshit and i have increasingly been targeted on the most minor infractions. Censorship is coming and its spreading across the globe, much like the 99% protests and how the US targeted the leaders and speakers.