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China postpones mandatory installation of Internet filtering software

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced Tuesday that it would delay the mandatory installation of controversial "Green Dam" Internet content filtering software. The software would block websites containing content such as pornography, drugs, homosexuality, or violence, and was scheduled to be installed on all computers sold in the country after July 1. China has said that while the software would be installed on all computers, it would be up to user to decide whether to run the program. The MIIT said the software would still be available for download until a later launch date, and reiterated that it felt the software was necessary for protecting children from "harmful" online content. Last week, a spokesperson for the US State Department said the country was concerned over China's decision to require the software, arguing that it could harm trade and the free flow of information. Earlier this month, Chinese human rights lawyer Li Fangping challenged the policy, demanding public hearings to determine if the requirement is lawful and reasonable. In March 2008, the government temporarily blocked Internet users in the country from accessing the video-sharing website YouTube after videos of a recent government crackdown on Tibetan protesters challenging Chinese rule were posted on the site.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on June 30, 2009 (boomark / email).