Internet Filters in Germany

Creatures · June 21st, 2009, 08:00 PM

Most of you won't be really interested in this because it happens far away from your home, but it might be interesting to know what is going on right now in germany because it could spread further.

China is censoring the internet everyone knows that but right now german politicians are trying to implement a filter system too (sloppy DNS filter, which of course can be bypassed) this all sounds very very confusing and everyone in his right mind would be against it BUT those sneaky politicians know how to talk to the masses. They claim that they will use the filter system to block child pornographic material.

The Catch 22 is evolving... The moment you are against this law you will be brandmarked as "pro child pornography" even though you have many other reasons to be against this. (And this is by FAR the worst approach to combat child pornography!)

Users who accidently (or not so accidently) get onto one of the blocked pages will see a red Stop sign which informs you that your identety will be send to the BKA (The Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany) which may give them a reason to search your house/harddrives etc.

Many online game seller are afraid that they may be on the filter list because they sell games which are not allowed in germany of course this is just a minor thing but the power to ban pages is wrong.

I just wanted to let you know what is going on in right now over here. After a very ridiculous egoshooter game banning they continue to censor things they dont like which can go further than things we may agree with (although banning games is just crazy...)

For more information (and information about a petition you can sign too): Germany’s plan to implement internet filters by law | Spreeblick

Creatures

PS allowed hotlink: Rettet das Internet - Stoppschilder für Kinderporno-Sperre * * *

**Whir** · June 21st, 2009, 08:04 PM

Ugh. Thanks governments, but I think I can think for myself.

Of course proxies will remove this problem entirely.

Creatures · June 21st, 2009, 08:10 PM

Proxies may work but what if they get on the same lists?

Creatures

**Whir** · June 21st, 2009, 08:12 PM

I guess it depends on how their system works. If it monitors the DNS, then you can bypass it by using a public DNS system. Other means, like the Tor proxy network should also bypass any DNS monitoring, though I'm not really familiar on how it works.

Creatures · June 21st, 2009, 08:34 PM

well it's not the point of discussion really. it's about a western country slowly taking people's rights away in a very aggresive manner.

Creatures

Detritus · June 21st, 2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creatures

well it's not the point of discussion really. it's about a western country slowly taking people's rights away in a very aggresive manner.

Creatures

QFT!

It's amazing how many liberties we are willing to give up in the name of the children/security...

**Whir** · June 21st, 2009, 09:04 PM

No, it's amazing how many rights the government is willing to take away from using children and security as the reason. Second most amazing is how many people are willing to buy it.

Detritus · June 21st, 2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whir

No, it's amazing how many rights the government is willing to take away from using children and security as the reason. Second most amazing is how many people are willing to buy it.

Okay, I'll agree with that edit.

I guess it doesn't amaze me so much when a large body of power feels the need to take more power. I still find it sickening, but not surprising.

tony_j15 · June 21st, 2009, 11:11 PM

I think misguided well-meaning laws end up being more oppressive than if we just had a dictator in the first place.

brandon184 · June 22nd, 2009, 12:41 AM

Politicians in their 50's who still don't even understand how the Internet works should not be making laws to police it.