Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The Great Firewall of Canada

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the didn't-know-they-could-build-things-up-north dept.

engtech writes "Canadian carriers Bell Aliant, Bell Canada, MTS Allstream, Rogers, SaskTel, Shaw, TELUS, and Videotron have all opted in to a blacklist, dubbed Project Cleanfeed Canada, provided by Cybertip.ca, the Canadian tip-line against child exploitation. The idea of having a national blacklist sends shivers down my spine. I'm a pessimist, I believe that any form of censorship will eventually be abused despite it's good intentions." Besides engtech's post on the subject, Dr. Michael Geist has some considered comments about this issue. From that post: "Critics are quick to draw parallels to Internet censorship in countries such as China. However, those countries involve state-based content blocking, with no transparency or legal recourse. In fact, several democracies — most notably Australia — have established limited blocking rules, while British Telecom, the UK's largest ISP, voluntarily blocks child pornography as part of its CleanFeed program. Even with various legal safeguards, many Canadians would undoubtedly find the blocking of any content distasteful. Yet to do nothing is to leave in place an equally unpalatable outcome that silences those would speak out against unlawful hate speech for fear of personal harm."

6 of 399 comments (clear)

  1. Chilling effect by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who is going to take the trip down the road of legal recourse when they're going to be branded a child-exploiter?

    Sorry, sir, our records indicate that PEDOS4PEDALS has had several complaints lodged against it and has been blacklisted in accordance with current regulations. If you wish to pursue this further, please see our webpage www.complainhereyousickpervert.ca for more information on how to remove your domain from the blacklist.

  2. Hmmm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "despite it's good intentions."

    Are they already blacklisting grammar sites?

  3. Obligitory by LackThereof · · Score: 2, Funny

    In Canada, milk comes in bags.

    --
    Legalize recreational marijuana. Seriously.
  4. Re:Hold on there, Cowboy by blincoln · · Score: 5, Funny

    Eh eh?

    Watch out, if you make fun of the Canadians they might come burn down Washington, DC again.

    --
    "...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman
  5. Good thing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I use cogeco.

  6. Re:Hold on there, Cowboy by RsG · · Score: 4, Funny
    Watch out, if you make fun of the Canadians they might come burn down Washington, DC again.
    What on Earth makes you think most Americans would mind?
    --
    Erotic is when you use a feather. Exotic is when you use the whole chicken.