Anti-porn software raises other issues

Updated 11:22 AM Jun 10, 2009

WASHINGTON - Microsoft on Monday said a Chinese rule that personal computers sold in China include Web filtering software raises issues of freedom of expression, privacy, and security.

Computer makers have been told by the government that all personal computers sold from July 1 must be shipped with anti-pornography software.

Two of the biggest personal computer manufacturers in the United States, Hewlett-Packard and Dell, said they were seeking more information.

But the new rule remains contradictory, unclear, and contains no information on enforcement, said analyst Liu Ming. "This software may not be targeting politically-sensitive websites, which the government has already had some tools in place to control," said Mr Liu, who has downloaded and examined the software.

Yesterday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang defended the move, saying the software filters "unhealthy content, including pornography and violence". AGENCIES

From TODAY, World – Wednesday, 10-Jun-2009; see the source article here.

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