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According to Reuters, Google's search and Gmail services have been blocked from public view in Iran. Tehran officials say these latest additions to Iran's web filter are the result of a much publicized anti-Islamic video called "Innocence of Muslims". The controversial video made its home on YouTube a couple of weeks ago, where it has managed to incite anger, protests and violence across portions of the global Muslim community.
Iran already has one of the largest collections of blocked URLs found in any country, but that's just the start. Earlier this year, Iran announced plans of creating its own domestic "Internet" -- an intranet which would be isolated from the rest of the world. Officials claim the goal is national security, something Iran is rightfully concerned about after government servers were infiltrated by US-Israel sponsored Stuxnet and Flame viruses. Skeptics, however, believe Iran's claim of "national security" is little more than an excuse to keep protesters away from "Western" social media tools and non-sanctioned information.
ComputerWorld says this security researcher has confirmed that Google and Gmail are still accessible via direct IP addresses although their hostnames remained blocked. It also appears some mobile phone operators aren't on the same page yet as the Iranian government, allowing mobile access for some -- for now.
Tehran officials says phase one of Iran's upcoming "domestic Internet" has already passed, isolating government operations on its own national network. Phase two, which is expected to arrive sometime next year, will put the rest of Iran's population on their state-sponsored intranet. After the system is deployed, it remains unknown if there will be gradual transition from the global Internet or if Iran will abruptly cut ties.
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I find it interesting that some cultures can't handle free speech.
In my point of view, your so called "Free Speech" should have limits. If it hurts somebody then it shouldn't be allowed under any circumstances. Let's take an example of yourself. What if somebody starts posting your (your sister, girlfriend, wife, mom or any family members') nude pics on the internet? I can bet on that you would sue the shit outta that person. Do you still feel that there shouldn't be limits to free speech?
Free Speech does have limits, you can say anything you want but certain things have consequences along with them. You can go right ahead and yell fire in a crowded building but you can be sure that you are going to jail and will be brought up on charges for inciting a riot and endangering the public. The whole reason for freedom of speech is to be able to state your opinion without the government or other ruling bodies sending you to jail or censoring you just cause they don't agree with you and that should be protected. BTW posting another persons picture without their permission is not protected under free speech but is considered a violation of privacy. You need to learn what Free Speech actually means before you start saying it shouldn't be allowed or should have limits since you seem to be confused on what it actually is.
To which I'll add, never trust a hypothetical argument. "What if" is a signal that the agenda has nothing to do with logic or facts and probably is only propaganda. As one of Lois McMaster Bujold's characters observed about politicians brandishing what-if arguments, "...the crimes they hope to prevent in that future are imaginary. The ones they commit in the present - they are real."
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