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Opera Closes China Loophole; Reinstates Censorship

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the because-they-can dept.

ObsessiveMathsFreak writes "Coming hot on the heels of Microsoft's censoring of Chinese search results, browser-maker Opera has become the latest company to joyfully contribute to prosperous growth of the Great Firewall of China. For speed and convenience, the mobile phone-based 'Opera Mini' browser receives formatted web pages via Opera's own line of proxy servers. These unfiltered proxies gave Opera's Chinese users rare unfettered access to the wider web. However, this loophole has now been closed, with Chinese users now being directed to 'upgrade' to 'Opera Mini China,' which closes this loophole, returning them to the bosom of party censorship, and Opera to the favor of the Chinese Government. Truly; 'To Get Rich Is Glorious.'"

3 of 272 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I will join you when Google does something by notrandomly · · Score: 0, Redundant
    Considering the rumors that the only alternative to this outcome was arrest or "sudden and mysterious disappearance" of all Opera employees in China, you seem to be a bit off the mark.

    Also, it benefits the Chinese to be able to use Opera Mini. It takes a lot more time and resources to police 100 services than 1 service. So the more services, the more possible cracks in the firewall. Opera pulling out would mean no browser for the Chinese, and fewer angles of attack when trying to work out ways to get around the censorship.

    Conclusion: Opera may very well have stood on their principles.

  2. Re:Torn by notrandomly · · Score: 0, Redundant
    As I wrote: What do you think would happen if they didn't comply with the demands from the government? A slap on the wrist and "carry on as usual"? That's extremely naive. Rumors have it that Opera employees in China were going to be arrested (or "mysteriously" disappear) if they didn't comply. Maybe you would prefer that?

    And even if pulling completely out of China had been an option, it would have been a bad one. Don't you get it? Fewer services means less and easier work for the government when censoring. The more services, the more difficult for the government to keep track of everything, and the greater the chances of workarounds being open.

    As long as Opera keeps working in China there may be ways to work around the censorship (and there are). Opera pulling out wouldn't help at all!

    It's extremely short-sighted of you to assume that you know best, and that it's fine to sacrifice Opera's employees in China. It's extremely short-sighted not to see the benefit in more services meaning more potential cracks in the firewall.

  3. Re:Torn by notrandomly · · Score: 0, Redundant
    What do you think would happen if they didn't comply with the demands from the government? A slap on the wrist and "carry on as usual"? That's extremely naive. Rumors have it that Opera employees in China were going to be arrested (or "mysteriously" disappear) if they didn't comply. Maybe you would prefer that?

    And even if pulling completely out of China had been an option, it would have been a bad one. Don't you get it? Fewer services means less and easier work for the government when censoring. The more services, the more difficult for the government to keep track of everything, and the greater the chances of workarounds being open.

    As long as Opera keeps working in China there may be ways to work around the censorship (and there are). Opera pulling out wouldn't help at all!

    It's extremely short-sighted of you to assume that you know best, and that it's fine to sacrifice Opera's employees in China. It's extremely short-sighted not to see the benefit in more services meaning more potential cracks in the firewall.