The Use of Western Technology by Middle East Censors in 2012
Freedom of expression is a human right and guarantor of human dignity. The right to freedom of expression should NOT be restricted by governments. (Except in narrowly defined circumstances based on internationally recognized laws or standards; and these restrictions should be consistent with international human rights laws and standards, the rule of law and be necessary and proportionate for the relevant purpose).
During the Arab Spring, the Internet and cellphone technology have been used to mobilise, organize, and campaign for political change.
Some IT companies have taken the commendable step of devising innovative tools to support dissidents, bloggers, and writers - such as encrypted technologies and OTHER ways to bypass restrictions by devising alternative routes. On the other hand, some companies have colluded with security forces by providing governments with surveillance technology to track downdissidents. These companies have unquestioningly accepted government orders to restrict communication, and even divulged the identity of users, leading to their arrest.
IT companies will have to understand the consequences of their actions and their relationships with governments - so as to ensure that they aren't complicit in human rights abuses on the internet. 'The Global Network Initiative' is one step in that direction - it has developed principles participating companies have adopted to guide their decision-making.
Even as pressure from watchdog groups continues, other firms are widening Internet access in under-serviced areas and protecting digital rights. Such initiatives by companies to protect human rights are necessary, but governments will be expected to do more to ensure that the 'right of freedom of expression of an individual' is not undermined in the virtual world.
The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression has declared access to the internet as a basic human right; and some governments have stepped in, such as Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States, and made defense of freedom of expression in the cyberworld a top priority.
ISPs in UAE use the Western-built automated filtering solutions to block mass content - such as websites that provide skeptical views of Islam, secular and atheist discourse, besides proxy and anonymity tools. These sites are maintained by the Western company vendors. The ISPs also use these tools to add their own selected URLs to the companies' black lists.
UAE has in the past, used American-made SmartFilter products now owned by Intel (Intel's SmartFilter management does not have a publicly declared policy on the use of its products by governments to implement censorship).
UAE's du currently employ the Canadian-made commercial filter Netsweeper.
Netsweeper Inc. does not seem to have any problem with governments implementing political/religious censorship using their tools, and acknowledges working in tandem with telecom operators in UAE. The company says its product can be used to block inappropriate content to meet government rules and regulations "based on social, religious or political ideals of the state."
Summary: This amounts to gross human rights violation on the internet in UAE. The emirates cannot to supersede the individual, whether ethnic or expatriate.
[A Special Rapporteur is an independent expert appointed by the Human Rights Council (United Nations) to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme].
For Reference:
http://globalnetworkinitiative.org/
http://opennet.net/west-censoring-east-the-use-western-technologies-middle-east-censors-2010-2011
http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/principles/index.php#18
http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/principles/index.php#19
