ARIN6902 Internet Cultures and Governance

The reason why Google decided to withdraw China market, the co-founder, resemble the China act of censorship to his childhood memories in Societ Union.

This is a clear example of a government trying to control the information flow with old techniques (only one CD for all journalists) and how the Internet comes into play to provide electoral information. Interesting to compare vs the 2008 US elections, where pundits and commentators could get info from various sites. Can the Internet change results?

A leak of the requirements made by the Chinese gov to Chinese media outlets on how  to deal with the google affair!

Blog post about how Facebook and MySpace handle cyber bullying. Should both sites "unmask" bullies and what would the possible implications be?  At present neither site is required to identify users who bully others or post offensive material unless requested by a subpoena.

An article from China Daily, the Chinese version of why google is leaving China. We need to take a look at both sides of the story!

Nestle's heavy-handed reaction to the Greenpeace advert doing the rounds online - where an office worker bites into the fingers of an orangutan to highlight the destruction of their habitat by palm oil producers who supply to Nestle - is causing some backlash for them on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, including their own 'fan' pages.

Virgin Mobile marketing team clearly not understanding the Spam Act by sending customers email after they have opted out just to 'make sure you're still certain' about option out! Virgin since fined $22K and have committed to providing training for their staff.

Engaging in social media backfires for Nestle. Due to the Greenpeace protest against the company with regards to how the company uses palm oil in its products, a number of people posted their distaste on Nestle's Facebook page. Unfortunately for the company, the representative in charge of replying to comments was far from being amiable, or even courteous. Sample exchange of comments: Nestle: "You have freedom of speech and expression. Here, there are some rules we set. As in almost any other forum. It's to keep things clear." Paul Griffin: "Your page, your rules, true, and you just lost a customer, won the battle and lost the war! Happy?" Nestle: "Oh please...it's like we're censoring everything to allow positive comments." Social media has significant benefits for companies and how they market the products to consumers. However, if used wrongly, as with this case, massive PR clean-up is inevitable.

The US Federal Trade Commission has release a request for public comment on the  expansion of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)  The initial review was scheduled for 2015 but is being brought forward.  COOPA's goal is to protect the online safety and privacy of children under the age of 13.  They are considering extending this to children under the age of 17. 

Great, accessible article exposing the major flaws of the proposed internet filter - the fact there are 10 major flaws is pretty indicative of the proposal itself...fundamentally flawed.

A blog post covering the Pirate Party UK and the recent launch of it's manifesto. The Pirate Party is fighting to reform 'intellectual property' law but also covers freedom of speech on the Internet an other web related issues. After winning seats on the European and German parliament, could they also be successful in the UK?

Additional information regarding Iceland's initiative. Watch the video, summarizing and explaining the plan, it's really good!

Iceland is planning to propose the "The Icelandic Modern Media Initiative" to save freedom of expression on the internet, aiming at press and source protection it would turn the country into a save haven for journalists and bloggers all around the world.

Can gamers make a better world? Game developer Jane McGonigal seems to think that all gamers possess the skills needed to save the world. Overall it is a pretty good speech with some very valid points and, at the very least, it'll make you feel better about being a gamer. http://www.youtube.com/watchv=dE1DuBesGYM&feature=player_embedded

Another case in which intellectual property rights come into question. Apple is suing HTC for infringement of 20 Apple patents. It is interesting to note, that the majority of handsets which been specified in this case are powered by Google's Android operating system which is open source. I feel that corporations using open sources to power their products need to consider the potential repercussions. Although open source communities tend to operate with an ethic of contribution and collaborative innovation; it is inevitable that ideas and the products which stem from it will crossover from one realm to another, which in turn will lead to a figurative 'stepping on one another's toes' and ensuing law suits. In saying this, it is clear that whether or not it is open source product or not, that cases like this have almost become a symptom of the modern tech-business climate.

After reading the domain name articles this week and discussing cybersquatting in class this seems to be the perfect example of recent cybersquatting!

Will this be the future in censorship?

Cybersecurity - just as soon as there is new technology to help prevent crime and terrorism that technology is then subverted and becomes a tools for the criminal.