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My company has developed a Web Site application (Employee Self Service) and would like to go International with it. Right now, it is available within the US.
One of our biggest concerns is regarding the Internet restrictions appearing on China & Israel. Is there anything special that needs to be done. There is this article on the Web regarding some of the rules and some of the harsh sentences of the rules being broken for internet within China.
[hrw.org...]
Checking Webmaster World, I've seen some discussions on China's banning of Google. However, I have not found anything regarding 'How to' go about registering with the Chinese government or how to make sure that you are in full compliance. Are there any resources available to me? Are there any Web sites that anybody would recommend that deal with this type of thing and would provide legal services?
Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.
Thanks
I've never run into any problems with my Chinese site, but then it's hardly controversial. We haven't heard much about Google banning lately although it is not uncommon for news to get stuck in China and not get out.
I think we have overreacted a bit and misunderstood a few articles we read. It seems that China may be doing some "filtering," but that's not the same as placing "restrictions."
So, there's nothing really that we need to do. What we're doing does not involve anything controversial, so it sounds like there's no issue. Well, that's the type of news I was hoping for. Great.
I am new to this site, I have spent 10 months in china and in excess of 10 years on the internet. I did a search on "what are the 20 Chinese internet laws" as it has come to my attention that 20+ PSB enforced laws are in place regarding internet access and use in china in 2004 - and from that i found this post and was "edged into action" . Being aware of the fact that ignorance is not a defence regarding law i (like you) decided to do some research.
I have contacted my local PSB (public security Bureau) and local ISP and requested the list of laws that "Aliens" (their words not mine) must adhere to whilst engaging in online activity. A response is still pending.
Most active minded, technically orientated young "Heads" in the western world are prone to a phase of PARANOIA whilst growing up. Over time this subsides when you (and your friends) ask you the pertinent question ; Why the Flip would they be interested in you? This all rings true until you move to or do business in China but don’t be paranoid. After all you have nothing to hide ;-)
This posting will be read by or reported to my local PSB office even though i have not mentioned anything regarding contentious current Chinese internet issues. The fact that i have read and responded to your posting that contained a link to a taboo subject is enough. China is very interested in what happens in any and every medium regarding the politics and social structure of their country. (senior member Bills feedback would be welcomed)
The internet REEKS of international currency and what with the new consumerism that is swallowing China whole believe me, they are VERY flipping interested.
With internet money comes the internets ability to not only monitor the present and respond in real time but also the ability to archive the past. Some aspects of this modern "uniquely" western phenomenon fascinate the current Chinese political culture. Other aspects scare the living heebee jeebies out of them.
The ancient Chinese (it has been alleged) innovated if not invented many aspects of our industrial revolution past, Agriculture, Steel production, Warfare , Mathematics.
The internet however is a modern revolution that has not been attributed to the eastern world (although most hacking and spam is routed through Chinese networks). Not withstanding they will do their damdest to control the flow of advancement. We all know how china feels about the R word.
As i have said before - don't be paranoid, why would they be interested in you? - What are your concerns? what is your product?
An interesting time in Chinese internet history is the time of 100 flowers, slowly, slowly catchee monkey, do some research.
Marx was into owning the means of production, the future is about owning the means to communicate, China is a master at owning the means to produce mass communication.
DO THE MATHS
All the best
Slowbot
China knows this.]
[Edit: Oh and by the way Israel is one of the only countries on the net that is considered to be 'free'. They do have restrictions on TV but not on the internet.]
It's pretty well known that the Chinese government is interested in the flow of information on the net. I also know that they restrict access to certain sites concerning certain topics. However, I was getting the impression that the control exerted by the government was more on the political front.
Most people visiting WebmasterWorld are interested in the economic rewards of doing business in China. I think we would hear a large outcry (like when Google was blocked) if the Chinese government was impeding this any more than normal. Of course there are local impediments to conducting business in any foreign country, but China is under the microscope now, and it seems that they are letting things flow for the most part now.
That said, I'm sure everybody here would be interested to hear what your local PSB has to say. I hope that big brother hasn't grown all that omnipotent over there yet.
[fpp.co.uk...]
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Hello,
I want to clarify the issue regarding "restrictions" of Israel and China. As I stated on a previous post, I believe we overreacted. What happened was that someone in the office said that there were restrictions imposed by these two countries on the internet, but after reviewing the replies in this thread, it seems that there really aren't any, only some filtering.
Thanks
