[kictanet] UCC attempts to block social networks

Tue Apr 26 15:03:35 EAT 2011

Its very easy to bypass such restrictions, especially in countries
where a chunk of people in the technology field are aware of how to.

./Chucks

On 4/26/11, John Gitau <jgitau at gmail.com> wrote:
> they have to be a government full of very arrogant ignorant people to
> imagine you can block sites, or some service and other sections of the
> Internet. So many have tried it before, and trying to block sites
> tends to bring on more anger...
>
> Gitau
>
> On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 2:05 PM, Rad! <conradakunga at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I think it is a very pertinent issue.
>> What is to stop the Kenyan government doing the same thing?
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 1:30 PM, <bitange at jambo.co.ke> wrote:
>>>
>>> Use of Kenyan Sim Cards may be the only option here.
>>>
>>> Bitange
>>>
>>> > Reporters Without Borders urges the Ugandan authorities to respect
>>> > freedom
>>> > of expression and not obstruct online social networks and news media on
>>> > the eve of new opposition demonstrations.
>>> > It would be dangerous for the government to make unjustified use of
>>> > protection of national security as grounds for controlling information.
>>> >
>>> > The role of that Facebook and Twitter are playing in providing the
>>> > public
>>> > with information about current developments is all the more important
>>> > given the restrictions that have been placed on journalists trying to
>>> > cover the demonstrations.
>>> >
>>> > Reporters Without Borders urges the Ugandan authorities to respect
>>> > freedom
>>> > of expression and not obstruct online social networks and news media on
>>> > the eve of new opposition demonstrations.
>>> > It would be dangerous for the government to make unjustified use of
>>> > protection of national security as grounds for controlling information.
>>> >
>>> > The role of that Facebook and Twitter are playing in providing the
>>> > public
>>> > with information about current developments is all the more important
>>> > given the restrictions that have been placed on journalists trying to
>>> > cover the demonstrations.
>>> >
>>> > The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) tried to block access to
>>> > social
>>> > networks on 14 April, when "Walk to Work" demonstrations were held in
>>> > several cities in protest against food and gasoline price hikes. In a
>>> > letter (copy attached) signed by Quinto Ojok (standing in for the
>>> > executive director), the UCC ordered 10 telecom companies "to block the
>>> > use of Facebook and Tweeter for 24 hours as of now, that is 14th April
>>> > 2011 at 3.30 pm."
>>> >
>>> > The grounds given for the order was "a request from the security
>>> > agencies
>>> > that there is need to minimize the use of the media that may escalate
>>> > violence to the public in respect of the ongoing situation due to the
>>> > demonstration relating to 'Walk to Work'."
>>> >
>>> > UCC executive director Godfrey Mutabazi told Reuters yesterday that he
>>> > was
>>> > ready to give fresh orders to block Facebook and Twitter locally if
>>> > they
>>> > were used "to fan unrest." The day before, thousands of people took to
>>> > the
>>> > streets to protest against the arrests of opposition leader Kizza
>>> > Besigye
>>> > and other demonstrators, who were accused of inciting violence.
>>> >
>>> > Reached by telephone, Mutabazi told Reporters Without Borders he would
>>> > cut
>>> > off access to Facebook and Twitter only if it had to be done to protect
>>> > the public. He said his statements should be seen as an appeal to
>>> > Ugandans
>>> > to be take care not to use social networks to issue calls for hatred or
>>> > violence. "The freedom to live is more important than the freedom to
>>> > express oneself," he added.
>>> >
>>> > As a regulator, the UCC cannot block websites without help from
>>> > Internet
>>> > services providers. The 14 April letter was sent to Broadband (U),
>>> > Foris
>>> > Telecom Uganda and Infocom, with copies to Orange Uganda, Uganda
>>> > Telecom,
>>> > MTN Uganda, Warid Telecom, Airtel Uganda, Africaonline Uganda and
>>> > ZAfsat
>>> > Communications. Reporters Without Borders has told some of these
>>> > companies
>>> > that it opposes social networks being disconnected in a unilateral and
>>> > abusive manner.
>>> >
>>> > The blocking that the UCC ordered on 14 April was not implemented by
>>> > all
>>> > the companies concerned. Some requested clarification. Some said they
>>> > got
>>> > the letter too late. And some simply refused to comply. MTN Uganda, one
>>> > of
>>> > the leading ISPs, announced on Twitter on 15 April that it would not
>>> > carry
>>> > out the order: "@MTNUGANDACARE: @StoneAtwine Our stand is clear. We are
>>> > not closing down FB or Twitter. Thanks."
>>> >
>>> > Some users nonetheless experienced disruptions for several hours.
>>> > Different information has been circulating about the ISPs involved.
>>> >
>>> > Local NGOs have accused the security forces of using excessive violence
>>> > to
>>> > disperse demonstrators - charges rejected by the government.
>>> >
>>> > The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) has condemned the
>>> > restrictions imposed by the government on journalists, who have been
>>> > denied access to hospitals and certain places linked to the
>>> > demonstrations. Around 10 journalists have been injured and have had
>>> > equipment damaged while covering the protests, which began on 11 April.
>>> > An
>>> > armed forces spokesman apologized publicly.
>>> >
>>> > Several sources have separately said that a UCC directive has also
>>> > banned
>>> > TV and radio stations from providing live coverage of the "Walk to
>>> > Work"
>>> > protests.
>>> >
>>> > Reporters Without Borders is very worried about the restrictions that
>>> > the
>>> > Ugandan government is imposing on freedom of expression.
>>> >
>>> > "The authorities must not confuse the event itself with coverage of the
>>> > event," Reporters Without Borders said. "When media cover
>>> > demonstrations,
>>> > they are not taking part in them; they are simply doing their job of
>>> > reporting the news. The media must not be prevented from working and
>>> > journalists must not be obstructed."
>>> >
>>> > source Reporters sans Frontières
>>> >
>>> > A
>>> > on 14 April, when "Walk to Work" demonstrations were held in several
>>> > cities in protest against food and gasoline price hikes. In a letter
>>> > (copy
>>> > attached) signed by Quinto Ojok (standing in for the executive
>>> > director),
>>> > the UCC ordered 10 telecom companies "to block the use of Facebook and
>>> > Tweeter for 24 hours as of now, that is 14th April 2011 at 3.30 pm."
>>> >
>>> > The grounds given for the order was "a request from the security
>>> > agencies
>>> > that there is need to minimize the use of the media that may escalate
>>> > violence to the public in respect of the ongoing situation due to the
>>> > demonstration relating to 'Walk to Work'."
>>> >
>>> > UCC executive director Godfrey Mutabazi told Reuters yesterday that he
>>> > was
>>> > ready to give fresh orders to block Facebook and Twitter locally if
>>> > they
>>> > were used "to fan unrest." The day before, thousands of people took to
>>> > the
>>> > streets to protest against the arrests of opposition leader Kizza
>>> > Besigye
>>> > and other demonstrators, who were accused of inciting violence.
>>> >
>>> > Reached by telephone, Mutabazi told Reporters Without Borders he would
>>> > cut
>>> > off access to Facebook and Twitter only if it had to be done to protect
>>> > the public. He said his statements should be seen as an appeal to
>>> > Ugandans
>>> > to be take care not to use social networks to issue calls for hatred or
>>> > violence. "The freedom to live is more important than the freedom to
>>> > express oneself," he added.
>>> >
>>> > As a regulator, the UCC cannot block websites without help from
>>> > Internet
>>> > services providers. The 14 April letter was sent to Broadband (U),
>>> > Foris
>>> > Telecom Uganda and Infocom, with copies to Orange Uganda, Uganda
>>> > Telecom,
>>> > MTN Uganda, Warid Telecom, Airtel Uganda, Africaonline Uganda and
>>> > ZAfsat
>>> > Communications. Reporters Without Borders has told some of these
>>> > companies
>>> > that it opposes social networks being disconnected in a unilateral and
>>> > abusive manner.
>>> >
>>> > The blocking that the UCC ordered on 14 April was not implemented by
>>> > all
>>> > the companies concerned. Some requested clarification. Some said they
>>> > got
>>> > the letter too late. And some simply refused to comply. MTN Uganda, one
>>> > of
>>> > the leading ISPs, announced on Twitter on 15 April that it would not
>>> > carry
>>> > out the order: "@MTNUGANDACARE: @StoneAtwine Our stand is clear. We are
>>> > not closing down FB or Twitter. Thanks."
>>> >
>>> > Some users nonetheless experienced disruptions for several hours.
>>> > Different information has been circulating about the ISPs involved.
>>> >
>>> > Local NGOs have accused the security forces of using excessive violence
>>> > to
>>> > disperse demonstrators - charges rejected by the government.
>>> >
>>> > The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) has condemned the
>>> > restrictions imposed by the government on journalists, who have been
>>> > denied access to hospitals and certain places linked to the
>>> > demonstrations. Around 10 journalists have been injured and have had
>>> > equipment damaged while covering the protests, which began on 11 April.
>>> > An
>>> > armed forces spokesman apologized publicly.
>>> >
>>> > Several sources have separately said that a UCC directive has also
>>> > banned
>>> > TV and radio stations from providing live coverage of the "Walk to
>>> > Work"
>>> > protests.
>>> >
>>> > Reporters Without Borders is very worried about the restrictions that
>>> > the
>>> > Ugandan government is imposing on freedom of expression.
>>> >
>>> > "The authorities must not confuse the event itself with coverage of the
>>> > event," Reporters Without Borders said. "When media cover
>>> > demonstrations,
>>> > they are not taking part in them; they are simply doing their job of
>>> > reporting the news. The media must not be prevented from working and
>>> > journalists must not be obstructed."
>>> >
>>> > source Reporters sans Frontières
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> > kictanet mailing list
>>> > kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>> >
>>> > Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>> >
>>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke
>>> >
>>> > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
>>> > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>>> > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>>> > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
>>> > development.
>>> >
>>> > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>>> > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
>>> > bandwidth,
>>> > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy,
>>> > do
>>> > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>> >
>>> > ----------------------------------------------
>>> > This message has been scanned for viruses and
>>> > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is
>>> > believed to be clean.
>>> > ---------------------------------------------
>>> > "easy access to the world"
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------
>>> This message has been scanned for viruses and
>>> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is
>>> believed to be clean.
>>> ---------------------------------------------
>>> "easy access to the world"
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> kictanet mailing list
>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>>
>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/conradakunga%40gmail.com
>>>
>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
>>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
>>> development.
>>>
>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
>>> bandwidth,
>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> kictanet mailing list
>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>
>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jgitau%40gmail.com
>>
>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
>> for
>> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
>> development.
>>
>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>
>
>
>
> --
> **Gitau
>
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/chuksjonia%40gmail.com
>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for
> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>

-- 
-- 
Gichuki John Ndirangu, C.E.H , C.P.T.P, O.S.C.P
I.T Security Analyst and Penetration Tester
jgichuki at inbox d0t com

{FORUM}http://lists.my.co.ke/pipermail/security/
http://chuksjonia.blogspot.com/