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Concordia Blocking Access to Facebook

By Michael Geist

Concordia University has taken the remarkable step of blocking campus access to Facebook for students and faculty connecting via a wired connection (wireless connections can still access the site).  The University claims that it is doing so because of "concerns that the continuing reliability of the Concordia network could be compromised because of spam, viruses and leaks of confidential information related to Facebook use."  Say what?  The University is concerned about spam arising from Facebook use and so decides to cut off access?

Leaving aside the obvious - (1) if there is a real issue it makes no sense to allow wireless connections but not wired connections and (2) since when is this a network issue specific to Facebook - this sends the wrong message to students.  Facebook is more than just a popular social network.  It can be a tool for advocacy and education as well as a mechanism for student groups to connect.  Even if it wasn't useful, this would still be wrong.  Simply put, universities should not be in the business of blocking access to legitimate, legal websites.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on September 11, 2008 (boomark / email).