Middle East Focus: Internet Censorship in the Middle East, Goon Tea Parties........

Arabia Deserta

Internet Censorship in the Middle East, Goon Tea Parties........

“Iran and Arab countries "enemies of the Internet," says report. Although China still holds the dubious distinction of being the most repressive country when it comes to Internet use, the Middle East is not far behind. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Syria and Egypt in particular have been singled out as "Enemies of the Internet" according to an annual report issued by Reporters Without Borders. Turkey was listed as "under surveillance." "Censoring political and social content with the latest technological tools by arresting and harassing netizens, using omnipresent surveillance and ID registration which compromise surfer anonymity – repressive governments are acting on their threats," the report reads……..”

Let me put it in a “real” context. In Iran or in any Arab country (bar one or two, probably) I would not be able to write this blog in-country. I’d be quickly visited by the goon squad, or invited to a tea party with the rough boys in their joint. I’d be held incommunicado for some time, roughed up (the degree of roughness depending on the offense), banned from travel, my blog blocked, my Internet access denied, etc, etc. In most countries. Somewhere deep inside the Middle East Gulag (both corrupt moderate oligarchic and corrupt radical whatever).
And they are all working on tightening control on the internet.
Cheers
mhg

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