Pakistan blocks YouTube again

Tech > Computer

Published: 29 Dec 2012 at 15.46
Online news: Computer

Pakistan pulled the plug again on YouTube just hours after unblocking the video file-sharing site following a months-long blackout.

Pakistani authorities say that "powerful firewall software" would be used to block inappropriate content on YouTube if and when the service resumes.

The order for the new crackdown came directly from Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.

Ashraf in September had ordered YouTube blocked after it refused to remove a controversial anti-Islam video.

Weeks of protests in Pakistan over the crudely made film "Innocence of Muslims" resulted in more than 20 people being killed.

Earlier on Saturday the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) notified all Internet companies to "immediately unblock/restore" YouTube until further orders were given.

But hours later Ashraf, after officials had said measures were being taken to filter out blasphemous material and pornography, ordered PTA to cut access.

"The prime minister has issued orders to block YouTube again," a senior official in Ashraf's office told AFP, declining to provide more details or a reason for the decision.

The privately run Geo television network reported that Ashraf issued the orders to block YouTube after it showed a report saying blasphemous content was still accessible.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik had said earlier said on Twitter that the decision to allow access again was due to huge public demand.

"PTA is finalising negotiations for acquiring a powerful firewall software to totally block pornographic and blasphemous material," he added.

The Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (Ispak) had welcomed the announcement of a restoration.

Ispak Convener Wahajus Siraj told AFP that when the ban first came into force, internet video traffic in Pakistan plummeted by up to 30%.

He said unblocking access would be a positive step because many students and institutions "were using YouTube for education, and were facing difficulties as alternate websites were not as good".

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amazed
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Discussion 5 : 30 Dec 2012 at 02.325
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Wouldn't it be more effective to prove how wrong such videos and writings are? I mean, wouldn't it appear that Muslims are running from the truth if they won't respond in that way?
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ploydonut
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Discussion 4 : 30 Dec 2012 at 01.134
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Thai government block the youtube in March 2007, April 2007 and unblocked in August 2007. Life was boring without can watch youtube
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joe_blow
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Discussion 3 : 29 Dec 2012 at 23.503
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Before you can have the real truth, you have to be prove accountability and the ability to handle it responsibly, both of these capacities are in short supply in developing and third world countries. The PM of Pakistan obviously understands this and accepts his duty to protect the ROW from the violent and emotional outbursts of the unsophisticated majority.
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felixqui
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Discussion 2 : 29 Dec 2012 at 21.592
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Oops!
Someone almost forgot to protect the citizens from national security risks and immorality.

Thank goodness other countries are not so lax when it comes to the insidious threat of knowledge, informed opinion, tolerance for different opinions and actual respect for their own fellow citizens.

Next after the evil of YouTube comes treating adults as adults! Anathema!
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dao
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Discussion 1 : 29 Dec 2012 at 21.261
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Dont be scared of the truth .
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Pakistan blocks YouTube again | Bangkok Post: tech