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Zimbabwe to Block & Censor E-mail, Identify Users

securitas writes "The BBC's Patrick Jackson reports that Zimbabwe's government plans to require ISPs to 'divulge details of e-mails deemed offensive or dangerous' and to provide 'government officials user details relating to material featuring anything from obscenity to "anti-national activities".' Last year Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe said that IT and communications technologies like the Internet were used 'by a few countries in the selfish interests of those countries which are in quest of global dominance and hegemony.' There is some confusion about the proposed provisions and if they mean that ISPs will be legally required to monitor e-mail or simply assist in government and criminal investigations, as many other countries require."

7 of 31 comments (clear)

  1. Terrorist Squads? by Elik · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hmmmm....I wonder what happens if I send an email to someone in there that is spamming me and I send them an ascii art of middle finger. Would that considered offensive by the government for them to send the death squad at me in US?

    --
    -- Amazing how the Internet still humms along.... -- Dispite all the flaws of Micro$oft in their software!
  2. I know Robert Mugabe by Scaba · · Score: 4, Funny

    Robert Mugabe! He asked me to help him move $47 million in unclaimed funds from his country to the US and he would give me 15% for my troubles. I've already sent him the $15000 in transfer fees, so it's just a matter of days until I'm rich!!!

  3. I'm surprised... by Bob+Cat+-+NYMPHS · · Score: 4, Interesting

    that a genocidal maniac would try to stop the free passage of information!

    C'mon, censored Internet usage is the LEAST of the troubles in Zimbabwe. How about famine? Wholesale murder of the farmers? Hmm?

  4. I live in Zimbabwe by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    This stupid government will try anything to silence us. Whenever someone tries to speak out agaiasdalkfj


    [NO CARRIER]

  5. No great loss by whoda · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Slavery is alive and well in Zimbabwe, what's a little censorship?

  6. ZIMBABWE 4** SCAM? by magefile · · Score: 2, Funny

    SO ... WHEN DOES ZIMBABWE TAKE OVER NIGERIA? I THINK I'LL START A FUND TO COLLECT MONEY TO HIRE MERCENARIES TO HELP THEM WITH THE INVASION. TO HELP ME OUT, I'LL NEED A CC# OR BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION POSTED IN THIS THREAD.

    HELP STAMP OUT NIGERIAN SCAMS - AND ALL THE LOOT FROM THE NIGERIAN TREASURY WILL BE SENT TO THOSE WHO POST HERE!

    friggin lameness filter ruining my joke ... junk text follows:
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  7. Hm. by caramelcarrot · · Score: 5, Interesting

    My cousin's new husband is currently wanted by the Zimbabwe government for being involved with the student unions there. He's currently just completing a law degree in south africa, and Mugabe and his merry lot only really pose a threat to him if he tries to return to Zimbabwe, as he discovered when he tried to visit his family there and only escape with a few minutes as some government thug payed one of his regular visits to relatives. He's even met Mugabe's nephew, or similar, not a very nice chap apparently.

    On the actual topic, though, I'm presuming this will apply to ISPs inside zimbabwe, and if so, are they going to block ISPs in South afica or other nearby countries?