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Iran Caps Net Access to Keep West Out

davidwr writes "The Guardian reports that Iran has banned high-speed internet access to attempt to curb the west's influence. In addition to seizing satellite dishes and filtering more websites than any country save China, Iran is now capping Internet speeds to 128kbps in order to keep out Western influences." From the article: "The latest step has drawn condemnation from MPs, internet service companies and academics, who say it will hamper Iran's progress. 'Every country in the world is moving towards modernization and a major element of this is high-speed internet access,' said Ramazan-ali Sedeghzadeh, chairman of the parliamentary telecommunications committee. 'The country needs it for development and access to contemporary science.'"

7 of 356 comments (clear)

  1. Priorities by Kelson · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yes, cripple your country! Better to maintain strict control over a nation in poverty than be in charge of a prosperous one!

    (Interestingly, the same comparison can be made for overprotective parents, who would prefer keeping their children...well, children, rather than prepare them to become adults.)

  2. Re:Tell me again why China=Good but Iran=Bad? by Tweekster · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It isnt that difficult of a concept. Iran does nothing for us, China is a major trade partner.
    That is why, it is pretty simple.

    --
    The phrase "more better" is acceptable English. suck it grammar Nazis
  3. Re:Silly Iranians by truthsearch · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Actually the administration is merely pandering to the evangelicals. They aren't actually getting much of what they want. This group in office has their own agenda. They just convince the religious to support it.

    The evangelicals actually believe they're getting a lot of support. They have too much faith in the words of their leaders.

  4. 128k isn't THAT slow... by loimprevisto · · Score: 4, Insightful
    From TFA:
    Parastoo Dokoohaki, a prominent Iranian blogger, said the move was designed to foil the government's opponents. "If you want to announce a gathering in advance, you won't see it mentioned on official websites and newspapers would announce it too late. Therefore, you upload it anonymously and put the information out. Banning high-speed links would limit that facility. Despite having the telecoms facilities, fibre-optic technology and internet infrastructure, the authorities want us to be undeveloped."
    How exactly will capping connection speeds at 128k per second stop someone from uploading 1k worth of text to 'put the information out' about a gathering? It's not like you need flashy banners and embedded movies... if someone wants to attend your protest rally (and you're serious about organizing one), waiting a few seconds instead of half of a second isn't really going to get in the way.
    --
    Much Madness is divinest Sense --
    To a discerning Eye --
    Much Sense -- the starkest Madness
  5. Re:Tell me again why China=Good but Iran=Bad? by fortinbras47 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    • China hasn't threatenned to "wipe Israel off the map."
    • China doesn't refer to the US as the "Great Satan."
    • China doesn't support Hizbullah, a terrorist group which killed 241 Americans in a bombing in Beirut.
    • China didn't ship thousands upon thousands of rockets to terrorist group Hizbullah.
    • China didn't storm the US embassy and hold 66 diplomats and US citizens hostage for over a year.
    • China didn't use terrorists to bomb the Israeli Embassy and the Jewish Cultural Center in Buenos Aires.
    • China doesn't try to actively sabotage the peace process in the Middle East.
    Oh.... but Iran did.

    China has nuclear weapons, but not many people are worried that China would provide a terrorist group with a nuclear weapon. There is great uncertainty over what Iran would do with nuclear weapons and nuclear technology.

    China is far from perfect, but the general direction they are moving is towards a more open society and a market economy.

  6. Re:Silly Iranians by southpolesammy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Perhaps if they just banned oil exports, they could then stop that inflow of filthy, moral corrupting American money.

    --
    Rule #1 -- Politics always trumps technology.
  7. For those who marked this flamebait: by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    President Bush Jr. said on national television that he believes that God works through him. The bulk of our political figures regularly cite God as their motivation for their actions. The republican party, which is currently in control of our government, has been hijacked by the religious fundamentalists. If you don't think that this adds up to the US being a religiously-controlled nation, then I don't think you're thinking hard enough.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"