Designing a protocol to circumvent Internet censorship: “Peacefire has released a new set of instructions for circumventing Internet censorship. These instructions can be used to get around Internet blocking in China, for example, by having a friend outside China follow the instructions to set up a mini-Web-site that users in China can then connect to,… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Censorship
Memorandum on Disabling Software Filtering
Memorandum of Legal Opinion, Library Procedures for Disabling Software Filtering and Unblocking Web Sites, by Janet M. LaRue, Chief Counsel, Concerned Women for America. (via LISNews.com) Continue Reading
DVD Code Copying Decision from CA Supreme Court
Today, the California Supreme Court issued a decision (53 pages, pfd) in DVD Copy Control Inc. v. Andrew Bunner, resolving “the apparent conflict between California’s trade secret law and the free speech clauses of the United States and California Constitutions.” Thanks to Jim Tyre for the heads-up. For reference, see this EFF press release: “The… Continue Reading
Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Resources
A CIPA Toolkit – Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Supreme Court’s June ruling that upheld the filtering requirement in the Children’s Internet Protection Act. (reg. req’d) Continue Reading
DOJ Appeals COPA Decision to Supreme Court
A follow-up to my March 7 posting: the Child Online Protection Act (COPA) was ruled unconstitutional for a second time by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, in a decision ACLU v. John Ashcroft, no. 19-1324, filed March 6. Arguing that requiring net filters in public libraries is not sufficient, Solicitor General Theodore Olson filed… Continue Reading
ALA’s Objections to Childrens Internet Protection Act Decision
CIPA Decision Response: A statement from ALA President Carla D. Hayden and the ALA Executive Board, July 25, 2003. Continue Reading
Report: The Internet Under Surveillance
The Internet under Surveillance, Obstacles to the free flow of information online, by Vinton G. Cerf (151 pages, pdf) “In this 21st century information age, Internauts have significant responsibilities. They must guard against abusive censorship and counteract misinformation. They must take responsibility for thoughtful use of the Internet and the World Wide Web and all… Continue Reading
Commentary on Supreme Court Internet Filtering Decision
Justices Put Access to Online Information in the Wrong Hands. Also see my posting, Supreme Court Backs Net Filters For Libraries. And, a cartoon is worth a thousand words… (sent by James S. Tyre). Continue Reading
Oregon Net Filter Bill Controversy
The USA Today reported on the status of Oregon House Bill 3101 which would eliminate state funding for libraries that refuse to install net filters for public access use of the Internet. Apparently “legislative counsel said it (the bill) is unconstitutional,” placing at least a temporary hold on this legislative initiative. Continue Reading
CIPA, Net Filtering and the Supreme Court
From Seth Finkelstein’s Infothought blog, this informative posting on Internet software filtering company N2H2’s current 10Q filing which includes the following language: “Free speech and privacy concerns could adversely affect the demand for our Internet filtering solutions.” On a related issue, see my April 10 posting: U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns (MA) dismissed a… Continue Reading
ACLU Report on 9/11
A new 28 page ACLU report (pdf), Freedom Under Fire: Dissent in Post-9/11 America, documents instances of “censorship, surveillance, detention, denial of due process and excessive force” on the part of the government. See the press release here. Continue Reading
Florida Net Filtering Bill Proceeds
On April 23, the Florida House passed HB 415: Relating to Internet Access in County and Municipal Libraries. The related Senate Bill, CS/SB 1250: Relating to Public Libraries/Computers has been referred to the Criminal Justice Committee. Continue Reading
