Post the 7/11 Mumbai bomb blasts, the Indian government has ordered ISP’s to block blogspot.com and some 17 other websites, because they believe that terrorists (and their supporters) are using the blogging site to post their anti-nationalistic views.
Here’s some news about this on the web:
Blogger blocked by some ISPs in India?
Blogspot.com Blocked in India By Some ISPs
The Economic Times is also carrying an article about the same, on its front page - I read it today morning.
Since yesterday, I’d been trying to access the blogspot blogs of my friends, and was puzzled to see that I couldn’t. Now of course, I’m incredulous (and sad :() to know the reason.
I don’t know what the govt hopes to achieve by blocking the whole domain. If terrorism was the issue, I’m sure it would have been a better idea to block some sub domains/sites which actually had anti-nationalistic content. Right now, apart from innocent bloggers (who’ve had their personal space on the blogosphere zapped out in an instant), its also sites like mumbaihelp.blogspot.com (which was functioning as a helpline for emergencies such as 7/11) that have been deprived of the chance to make a difference.
I read somewhere that there is a move to protest the blocking. Read more about everything on the issue at http://groups.google.com/group/BloggersCollective.
As for me, I guess I’ll just have to keep the sulking expression on my face till my friends move their blogs to other domains, or till the govt. decides to lift the ban…
And as I write this post, there is something else that’s bothering me: Now that I’ve published this post on my website and indicated my unhappiness about the development, will the govt. order the wordpress site also to be blocked, since people like me are voicing our concerns on it?
Hmmm… talk about democracy and the freedom of speech….
July 18, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Slashdot had some not-so-flattering coverage of this as well: http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/07/17/1732209&from=rss.
I remember living in Saudi Arabia and wondering what a screwed up country it was to censors access to information. Guess we’re not that far behind.
July 18, 2006 at 12:28 pm
July 18, 2006 at 1:39 pm
UmeshUnni: Sadly, you seem to be right.
Ooomz: I share your sorrow. Let’s pray that they come back to their senses.
July 18, 2006 at 2:11 pm
This is just insane. It just makes me laugh, why the government thinks that terrorists use only blogs for information excahnge. They serioulsy have to block the whole Internet to stop them communicating. I guess if you are a smart agency, you play with the terrorist by identifying those blogs and carry on visiting, decrypting or whatever you want.
The guy at NIC and security agency probably were thinking…
We do not have a clue how terrorists executed these attacks, but anyway lets block blogspot.com so our job is done.
Comparing us with other countries like Iran, china, saudi arabia… now we prove the worst policy of information blocking. We need watchdog bodies setup for every government agency.
Boastful PS: Luckily those that are serious about blogging run their own blogs.
PS..PS: Yet another reason to host your own blog.
July 18, 2006 at 2:45 pm
Balaji: Insane is a good word :). I’m also wondering if they were seriously thinking that blocking 17-18 sites would have done any good…. or even blocking the whole internet, because I’m sure terrorists have enuf alternatives to communicate, other than the internet.
My guess is that this move is just to shut up some section of media and people who are blaming the govt for not being proactive about the terrorist attacks, and not doing enough to prevent them.
About hosting my own blog… hmmm. Not right now for me, but maybe sometime in the future
July 18, 2006 at 3:51 pm
Bloggers that are suffereing should demand those that were responsible for this to be sacked.
July 18, 2006 at 4:36 pm
I wonder why we dont object much when some company’s block some sites. Arent companies supposed to be democratic too.
BTW if u still want to continue reading blogspot . subscribe using bloglines.com. That still works.
July 18, 2006 at 5:28 pm
Raman Sir, welcome to my blog
Companies aren’t supposed to be democratic - they’re oligarghic I guess. We don’t elect our managers (they recruit us, and rule over us ;)), and don’t have any say in management of the company. [Of course, some companies do trick the employees into thinking that they have some control, by having PCMM, feedback forms, and conducting satisfaction surveys]
So we really can’t protest blocking of sites within certain companies, because they’ll argue that its a matter of “policy” :|. There are companies which snoop into employees’ private emails and fire them because of the content, secretly videotape employees and fire them because of some action they did, and even fire employees for not coming to office on a particular day [yes, that's from one of your own posts] - and there is nothing the employees can do about it, except maybe file a suit and then climb the staircases of courts for years…
I hv a Bloglines account
and I did read your feeds yesterday, but didn’t mention it in the post because that to me is like a hack and anyhow, I can’t comment on the blogs even if I read the RSS feed. I do hope blogspot goes back on air soon…
July 18, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Well my point was not that. My point is maybe we are more self centred when it comes to exercising our freedom.
We carefully see our self interest when we voice our displeasure. If we do that in our office, we might get terminated and so we accept. The same people who make a lot of noise about government ban and restrictions meekly accept the rules laid down by the place where they work. Now thats hypocrisy.
If u need certain freedom, u need it everywhere or u dont need at all.
It is this double standard that provokes me.
BTW blogspot is back on air (atleast in my office)
July 18, 2006 at 6:17 pm
I agree. Double standards and hypocrisy is the name of the game everywhere - with most people, it is either one rule for themselves and another for others, or a change of stance according to the situation.
I can also relegate a number of other behavioural attitudes to the same original cause - we as citizens in India litter our roads, break traffic regulations, pay bribes, create stirs and strikes and refuse to go to work. But when the same people are put in a country like Saudi Arabia, Singapore, or USA - they abide by all the rules, behave as the most prim and proper citizens that can ever be, and do their work regularly and diligently without even a squeak of protest.
Of course, I shouldn’t generalize, but I’m just talking about whats typically prevalent…
Unfortunately, blogspot blogs are still not accessible in my office… I hope it works soon…
July 18, 2006 at 6:21 pm
I dont think its double standards. I will try to put it another way…
In indian constitution it is said that there will be right of speech in the country. So if that is denied we have to raise our voice. No one cries here saying they dont have rights to kill someone.
Now when joining a company we are accepting the terms and conditions stating may be they have the rights to block any website or do things. After accepting this agreement there is no point crying about it. If you are unhappy about it, leave the organisation. Its not that you are told that u will have the rights to do things and then be denied.
I will never go to Saudi Arabia and cry about not having freedom there. Coz i’m aware of the rules and regulations there. If u want freedom its better not to go there.
We are not crying for freedom when in an organisation coz of the fear of getting sacked. Its coz we accepted the rule that there wont be freedom there.
We will cry for freedom in India when it is denied coz we r promised to have the right. Well its another thing that you might get killed or jailed for doing that.
You can’t enjoy the same freedom at your friend’s house like the way you have at your home.
July 18, 2006 at 7:01 pm
I do not see it as double standards, though I do hate companies blocking Internet.
Yet another PS: Yet another reason why you should run your own company.
July 18, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Using bloglines or pkblogs: “I see it as a hack”
I think exactly the same, we should never be to this stage. All that effort that goes on to this is wasted, instead should work towards creating wealth — I hate hacking anything.
July 18, 2006 at 7:46 pm
I agree with Shikha on the point that we easily forget the responsibilites that comes with the freedom that we so much value when it is denied.
I think we have getting too much influenced by the new age NEWS channels which incite us to cry for our rights but hardly focus on the way we live each day breaking all rules big and small.
July 18, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Blogspot is still not up. I’m going home
PS: Ellam Balajimayam, baaki ellame loose thanam. Now I know why you are an incredible sulk. Balaji is God
July 18, 2006 at 7:49 pm
I dont break Rules.
July 18, 2006 at 9:50 pm
Only PS: Umesh don’t shout mera reputation.
July 19, 2006 at 11:08 am
Too bad. That is a shame. I think India has behaved no better than China in unnecessarily blocking websites.
I value the freedom of expression as the most wonderful thing any government can give its citizens.
July 19, 2006 at 4:35 pm
Lots of replying to do
Umesh:
>Now when joining a company we are accepting the terms and conditions stating may >be they have the rights to block any website or do things. After accepting this >agreement there is no point crying about it. If you are unhappy about it, leave the >organisation. Its not that you are told that u will have the rights to do things and >then be denied.
Yes, this is something I forgot - many companies do have a document (and
yes, mine does too) that is rarely read, and signed in haste, and that document says a lot about information security and the like. So yes, it cannot be thought of as a hypocrisy to not protest within such an organization, since we’re abiding by rules and regulations we’ve already agreed to.
Of course, technically, if the organization never gave you such a document, it would be right to protest. But then how many of us would do it? That’s why I do believe that most people are still hypocrites. Our protests are very much self-oriented. If the issue is something where we’re bound to get maximum support, and something which isn’t going to affect us drastically, we’re there to voice our dissent and make a hue n cry. Where we sense that we may have to suffer the consequences of the protest (or will be a single person waging a war against a group), we prefer to be meek and suffer.
July 19, 2006 at 4:48 pm
>Yet another PS: Yet another reason why you should run your own company.
Balaji: So that means that once you do set up a company, you will never block internet for all your employees, irrespective of the size/strength of the company… :).
As for me, I am not sure that’s possible… Running a company which has policies that satisfy everyone all the time - seems illogical, because it is human nature to complain.
July 19, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Balaji is already running his own company. Thats y the boasting…
July 19, 2006 at 5:53 pm
Umesh, you’re right. Ellam balajimayam ;). Hail Balaji!
July 19, 2006 at 8:37 pm
For an IT company, I beleieve the employees must have Internet as an essential like water, tea, fresh-air, toilet etc.
How does it sound when you are told that you should not use the toilet on the same floor but only on the floor above yours. Can we have a policy which says you can only have tea and not coffee. Blocking Internet sounds like one of these to me. I do not mean you must be allowed to do anything freely, obviously you cannot piss on the lift and similarly bring virus into the Network. So educate the employees what is good and what is not.
Some argue allowing free Internet is a drop in productivity. People will get bored pretty soon and will stop mucking about on the Internet and get on with their work.
Ellam balajimayam:
In my company you are allowed to even browse Sports Illustrated “you know what” section — only if you want to.
July 19, 2006 at 10:32 pm
FWIW, Here’s the list of blocked sites I grabbed off of Rediff:
1. www .hinduunity.org
2. mypetjawa.mu.nu
3. pajamaeditors.blogspot.com
4. exposingtheleft.blogspot.com
5. thepiratescove.us
6. commonfolkcommonsense.blogspot.com
7. bamapachyderm.com
8. princesskimberley.blogspot.com
9. merrimusings.typepad.com
10. mackers-world.com
11. http://www.dalistan.org
12. www .hinduhumanrights.org/hindufocus.html
13. www .nndh.com
14. bloodroyaltriped.com
15. imagesearchyahoo.com
16. www .imamali8.com
17. www .rahulyadav.com
July 20, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Blogspot working now in BSNL chennai.
July 21, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Unfortunately I’m still not able to access blogspot sites, except thru pkblogs. I wonder who’s the insolent ISP my office takes internet connectivity from :(. *grrr*.
The issue of blogs being blocked, is splashed all over the news now. The govt has washed its hands of the controversy saying that they had issued a directive only to block select blogs, but the ISPs blocked the entire domain on their own. Whoever is responsible, I want to see blogspot sites opening normally, soon!
July 21, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Its working in pune too
July 21, 2006 at 4:39 pm
Blogspot working now on Net4India Pune
July 21, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Yay :). Blogspot working in Bangalore too… atleast in my office!
July 21, 2006 at 6:25 pm
Why dont these people come clean instead of a BS like this?
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/44431.php/Blogs_blocked_due_to_technical_error;_being_restored(LEAD)
July 21, 2006 at 6:36 pm
Fabulous…
http://www.hinduonnet.com/nic/banned.pdf
July 25, 2006 at 10:12 pm
Blogger and Productivity
Umesh and I got a lot of things done last week.
Cartoon highly inspired from gapingvoid.
…
August 1, 2006 at 10:43 am
I am a visitor who does rounds of blogs and probably nothing else in my office; surprising that the office still keeps me on the rolls with th kind of output that i produce.
My own take on companies blocking irrelevant sites:
Perfectly justified - unless the company has advertised that free internet access is given to the employees. Non-blocking definitely leads to productivity loss - my own case is an example
Regarding blocking blogs by the government - was shocking while ite lasted! Here are some links on different prespectives on the blocking issue:
http://www.kitabkhana.blogspot.com/2006/07/ghostposting.html
http://www.datelinebombay.blogspot.com/2006/07/blocking-of-blogswhat-are-we.html
My own perspective?
A blanket ban is definitely not desirable, goes against the freedom aspect.
In the course of my travels (in the blogworld) I’ve come across several excellent blogs (my perspective); if you have the time and inclination please have a look:
http://whyiamabrownie.blogspot.com/ - one of my favorites -take time to go through the earlier posts, as well as the comments. Two sample post links given below:
http://whyiamabrownie.blogspot.com/2006/06/gounder-brownie-speaks.html
http://whyiamabrownie.blogspot.com/2005/11/idiots-guide-to-feminism.html
http://sidin.blogspot.com/ One particularly hilarious post from this blog:
http://sidin.blogspot.com/2006/02/sidins-guide-to-greatest-indian.html
http://marginalien.blogspot.com/ - Blog of noted cartoonist Manjula Padmanabhan.
I would love to have your comments after you’ve seen the above posts. Will be dropping by often
August 1, 2006 at 5:12 pm
Visitor: Whoa. I like you so much already
cos I write such big comments myself. I love reading blogs too… unfortunately can’t indulge too much in office cos I hv lots of work :(. Consequently, I haven’t been able to read the blogs you’ve suggested yet, but I definitely will. And will also post my comments once I’ve done that! Do drop by…
Do you have a blog? In case you don’t, please consider it. You write well.
Instinct tells me you’re female btw.
Wud love to know if I am right.
August 1, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Shikha: The feeling is mutual
. Pity that you have so much work at office 
, would you consider joining our office? We (actualy only I) hardly do any work and I get paid for it. 
I do have a blog, a pathetic attempt at blogging, that I am ashamed to show it anyone. I am not a good starter (proactive); I prefer to go into the conversational mode after an opinion is expressed (reactive). Maybe I am short on original ideas. Thanks for the compliment You write well
. I plan to enroll for an online course on creative writing, to improve my writing skills.
I like being an unknown person on the net, it gives me freedom to express myself, without having to conform to expectations as to how I should behave (respond). Sorry that I am unwilling to disclose more about myself. But I am sure that I will unwittingly reveal several things about me just by the nature of my comments, references to happenings in my life :).
I enjoyed writing that
- thanks for providing the space.
August 2, 2006 at 10:57 pm
Hi Shikha
You have got stuff my dear… Keep Blogging
Pramod
August 3, 2006 at 8:13 am
Visitor: Thank you for that lovely offer - tempting as it may be, the one reason I’m stuck to this place is cos I love the work, so I don’t really mind having lots of it :). Oops, that was supposed to be a secret. Hope my boss doesn’t read my blog
As for your blog, I understand what you mean; of course, I don’t believe that your blog is a pathetic attempt :), but I understand that sometimes though we have an opinion about everything and are generally good conversationalists, getting the trigger to write a post is a big factor. And when the words are not flowing, we end up writing stuff that we’re not really proud of, cos it sounds false and concocted. But I’ll give you an idea; it may not be that you are short on original ideas - in fact don’t go around looking for any. Just write what comes into your head, or something that you feel strongly about. I’m sure they will be valuable.
Sorry for trying to pry :). I must learn to curb my curiosity. I appreciate your desire to remain unknown, and it has its advantages. I’ve had my *unknown* stint on the net too… but that was some time ago, and I’ve traded the security of being able to write anything I want, for the pleasure of writing stuff under my own name. It was my choice, but you can be as unknown as you want. In fact, I like your pen name ‘Visitor’ already… its sort of like ur identity.
Keep writing; on your blog, on my blog or on anyone’s blog. I not only like your writing, I also like the content :).
August 3, 2006 at 8:15 am
Pramod: Thank you. *Sniff* *Sniff* I’m at a loss for words
August 3, 2006 at 11:27 am
Thought I’d let you peek at my blog.
August 4, 2006 at 11:22 am
Visitor: I’m honored :). Thank you for the link to my blog and for writing about me so prominently.
I never cease to be amazed at how much blogging has contributed to creating a virtual friendship network. I read blogs of people I don’t know and find inspiration and satisfaction from them daily - when I started blogging, I found the name “lonely in space” so appropriate for me, cos I was just that. Lonely in the web space. I think I must change my pen name (or rather web name) to “Never Alone in Space”
You need not be ashamed about your blog btw. I think it already has a character - very honest and forthright. And I like your concept of documenting blogs and blog discussions. I welcome that original idea
August 5, 2006 at 12:19 pm
I definitely have to agree with you on the point -creating a virtual friendship network. Yes its true. Just the comments alone are enough to foster friendship. There I was minding my own business and maybe make a stray comment here or there and Hey presto! I feel surrounded by people now. LOL
Though I had intended that my blog was not for blogging - now I might have a different view on that, now. Because of comments from other bloggers. And I’ve been tagged - which I consider as a significant event in the virtual community(blog).
The negatives are that I’ve become more image-conscious, want my blog to be spruced up and neat for others.
LOL
If anonymity has its price, so does friendship - one has expectations to live upto.