Internet Censorship

1
Internet Censorship

• Flora Wan
• Computer Science 99
• Winter 2000

2
What can be found on the net?

• www.newdream.net/bored/messages/7699.html
• www.dmoz.org/Computers/Hacking/Cracking/
• www.asiadragons.com/indonesia/forum/messages/9486.
  html
• Other examples Pornography, illegal software,
  etc.

3
The Ethical Issues

• Columbine Shooting incident
• Heavens Gate UFO cult
• Children and pornography
• Encouraging hate and violence

Columbine Shooting
Heavens Gate Cult
4
What is done about it now?

• Administrators block web sites
• University of Pittsburgh (www.antionline.com)
• Internet filtering software
• Cyber Patrol, Net Nanny, SurfWatch

5
How well does it work?

• The Internet Filter Assessment Project
• Committee of Librarians
• Objectionable web sites found 78 of the time
  even when filter is used to its full capacity
• Valid information blocked 35 of the time

6
Sites that have been blocked

• Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc.
• Breast Cancer Legislation page
• Emergency Contraceptive Pills
• Stop Prisoner Rape
• SuperBowl XXX
• Mars Exploration
• The Starr Report
• Hotmail

7
What about Freedom of Speech?

• The First Amendment
• Congress shall make no law . . . prohibiting the
  free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom
  of speech, or of the press . . .
• Opportunity for freedom of speech in other
  politically repressed countries

8
What is different about the net?

• Unlike traditional media, the internet has no
  regulation on who can broadcast material
• Information goes beyond the borders
• www.karlin.mff.cuni.cz/mkec6264/suicide.htm

9
What can be done about it?

• Cut down on illegal activities
• Child pornography
• Pirated Software
• Individuals should be more aware of Information
  that can be found
• Educate children

10
Conclusion

• Internet content should not be censored
• 1. Censoring blocks valuable information
• 2. Free Speech
• 3. Infeasible to regulate the World Wide Web