China's censorship plan widely criticized

Widespread resentment
The directive, which China claims is designed to block pornography, has raised concerns from all quarters. The industry is apprehensive about issues like software compatibility, maintenance and cyber-security. Critics argue that the decision plainly violates licensing agreements and anti-monopoly laws.

The new regulation that comes into force on all computers manufactured or shipped after July 1 has also triggered protests by human rights activists and Chinese citizens, on privacy issues.

Some people went to the extent of saying that the software installation has its roots in government corruption and not in cyber spying and control. These people accused bureaucrats of getting kickbacks in lieu of declaring the software mandatory.

A team of researchers at the University of Michigan claimed that the censoring software, developed by Jinhui Computer System Engineering Co, blocked not only pornography but other non pornographic content as well. Tests conducted by these researchers on ‘Green Dam’ revealed that the software had programming errors as well.

Referring to the revelation that the software could allow other malevolent web sites to embezzle private data or send spam to the personal computer, Colin Maclay, managing director of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, said, “It could be everything from a crappy piece of software to a deeply nefarious thing."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang stood by the regulation and said, “The Internet in China is open and the Chinese government is devoted to developing it. But the government also administers the Internet according to the law to prevent the spread of harmful content."

Healthy dialogue requested by American industry
Meanwhile, the Information Technology Industry Council, the Software & Information Industry Association, the Telecommunications Industry Association and TechAmerica jointly urged the Chinese government to reconsider its decision regarding the compulsory installation of the software.

The group said in a joint statement, “We believe there should be an open and healthy dialogue on how parental control software can be offered in the market in ways that ensure privacy, system reliability, freedom of expression, the free flow of information, security and user choice.”