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Why Blocking Technology Can't Work
In December 2000, the United States Congress passed legislation
requiring Internet blocking technology to block pornographic
materials in all public schools and libraries funded through
certain federal programs.
The problem is:
BLOCKING TECHNOLOGY CAN'T WORK
Here are ten good reasons why:
-
Underblocking
No blocking technology is clever enough to block even 10% of the
pornography on the Internet unless it effectively blocks most
or all of the materials on the Internet. This is because of
the inherent complexity of human language and thought, not
a matter of simply improving blocking technology.
-
Overblocking
Blocking technology always blocks more material than the small
proportion of pornography it is able to block, thus significantly
damaging the most basic and practical uses of the Internet, not
to mention the free speech rights and civil liberties of
every person accessing, publishing, or broadcasting on the
Internet. Most of the material on the Internet is informative
and useful and should not inadvertently or intentionally get blocked.
-
"Expert" Control
Even the simplest blocking technology is difficult to
operate in a way that permits local control
over the specific type and scope of materials blocked,
so people who have to use blocking technology depend
on "experts" in blocking technology companies who
decide what they should and should not see, then keep
this information secret even from those using the
blocking technology. (Only one blocking technology
company makes the list of blocked sites available to
customers or the general public.)
-
Subjective
Criteria used to block materials are vaguely defined
and subjectively applied to everyone who accesses
the Internet, rather than designed and customized to meet the
needs of particular communities.
-
Error-Prone
Blocking technology companies make lots of mistakes in
assigning sites to block lists and almost always rely on
automated systems for making content decisions. The
process is fraught with error and there is usually no
effective means to check whether a site is blocked
inappropriately, to correct the problem, to override
the blocking, or to appeal
the multitude of incorrect decisions made by blocking
technology companies.
-
Censorship
When the U.S. government requires blocking in public schools
and libraries, the government mandates censorship in direct
conflict with the U.S. Constitutional guarantees to free
expression and freedom of association. Laws prohibiting
the production and distribution of child pornography and
obscenity already apply to the Internet.
-
Discrimination
Blocking technology blocks "controversial" materials related to
certain issues or communities disproportionately more than other
materials, thus unfairly discrimination against whole communities
of people accessing, publishing, or broadcasting on the Internet.
-
Vulnerable
Blocking technology operation can be relatively easily bypassed
even by children.
-
Problematic
Use of blocking technology causes problems with computers during
installation, maintenance, upgrades, and removal that negatively
impacts the use and performance of the computers, including
computer crashes, access time delays, web display errors, and
other problems impacting negatively
the ability to access the Internet effectively.
-
Wrong Focus
Internet blocking technology is an unsuccessful panacea to an
important problem that requires a more thoughtful solution.
Parents, teachers, librarians, administrators, and local
communities must work together to come up with Constitutionally
acceptable solutions that encourage learning in a safe
environment on the Internet, rather than relying on an
unworkable technological fix. The focus should be on
determining local standards and on education for all parties
about how to use the Internet effectively.
Additional Resources
-
Online Access: Blocking Technology
-
Resources on blocking technology and related issues, Online Policy Group
-
Statement on Library Use of Filtering Software
-
Blocking technology resources such as explanation of what blocking
technologies are and
problems associated them,
American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee,
November 17, 2000
-
Filtering FAQ
-
Frequently-asked questions about blocking technology, including a consideration
of problems with blocking technology,
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, October 24, 1998
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Online Policy Group.
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