Two proposed bills in the US have ruffled the feathers of most internet users in the US – SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (PROTECT IP Act). There are innumerable articles on this controversial topic, I will list just a few points from various articles. I have referred only to SOPA in this posting.
SOPA hurts a lot more for sites that depend on user-generated content. VCs would think twice before they invest into UGC sites.
Oh well, enough of serious and depressing stuff. See how Hitler reacts to SOPA [Video] – HILARIOUS! Ooops..does SOPA prevent me from laughing?
What is the online censorship scene in India?
Since December 2011 Govt of India has been on war with online media in India. Part of their concern is justified (will explain later). But the other part which needs to get highlighted is – internet giants do comply “when they feel they should“.
In 2011, especially the second half, was not good for the ruling party in India. Depending on whose side you are you can blame/thank anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare. His movement gathered lot of support due to SMS and social media. Govt restricted SMS in a very big way (SMS based startups suffered in India) and then wanted social networking sites to “pre-screen” (the link http://www.businessworld.in/businessworld/businessworld/content/Online-Uproar-FB-Twitter-Screening-Proposal.html is no longer active) comments before they go online. The govt went an extra mile to tell the nation they were not against free speech.
One of the magazines in India had published the images which upset the government. I must say those images were totally distasteful and unnecessary. Expressing your views against a policy should be perfectly legal and allowed but we citizens too should not cross the line and put up morphed images of anybody (not just the powerful politicians).
Govt of India is upset with portal majors and are threatening to block them totally in India. I believe all parties will come to some sort of agreement.
What can we publishers, citizens, and Govt of India do?
Obama gave his stand on this controversial topic on the White House blog. We would like to hear from our Prime Minister on what he thinks of this censorship in India. Reasonably sure we won’t hear anything from him.
Major internet companies in India, especially Google, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and “other 15+ companies” (who are those?) are facing the music from Govt of India. Alas, unlike the US, if you don’t agree with these hurdles you cannot call your representative. Most of our representatives may think you are trying to sell “soap” to them. It will be a wasted effort.
Let us forget the past, best to have a fresh start.
So has SOPA come into effect in some form in India already?
Update: US Congress decides to pull the plug off: ‘SOPA withdrawn’
Related Links
We live in a world awash with digital transformation, and yet filled with painful and…
It is a well-known fact that branding plays a significant role in the success of…
Lately I have been coming across the frustrations faced in the visa application process. Earlier,…
India has the second-largest online population. The rapid Internet access and mobile proliferation is the…
The digital media landscape has changed tremendously over the last decade. Social media has amplified…
It is not surprising to see advertising will grow in the year 2021. It does…