Bangladesh lifts Facebook ban. Following a similar agreement with Pakistan, Facebook has agreed to more self-censorship. It has removed the Everybody Draw Muhammed Day page in Bangladesh and Bangladesh has removed the block on Facebook.
Australia joins list of nations investigating Google. Australia announced it is officially investigating Google for its collection of personal information. The company used its Google Street View cars to map Wi-Fi locations but picked up personal information as well. Other countries investigating include the U.S., Germany, Italy, France and Canada.
China releases Internet policy white paper. The most interesting part of this official Chinese communication is the emphasis its government puts not just on control of free expression, but on measures that will force its citizens to use China-made communications products. Sometimes it announces an intent to block something, like the U.S.-made Google Earth, in an apparent attempt to ensure Chinese Internet users stay with Chinese services, which are, in turn, more controllable.
Cuba and Vietnam infect Internet cafe computers. “Cybercafés in Havana will start using software called AVILA, designed to spy on which websites the users visit. This tool is a real trap to hunt Internet users. Since the past couple of years, this software application, whose main purpose is to capture the user’s private information, has been installed in Internet access services of most of the Havana hotels.” The software keeps external drives from being used as well. Vietnam has actually infected a popular software that allows the use of Vietnamese language typing with malware to monitor Internet use.
Venezuelan President indicts news website. Again. Hugo Chávez railed against a news website, Noticiero Digital, and the federal prosecutor immediately announced it would begin “proceedings” against the site. The site had reported on concerns by members of the military regarding Mr. Chávez’s reign and was promptly accused of calling for a coup.
Photo of wall in abandoned Cuban school by Paul Keller
