SOPA STALLED, USA INTERNET CENSORSHIP CONTINUES
2012-01-21
Although SOPA project has been put on hold, Internet censorship continues in USA territory.
In 2010, USA government complied Export Administration Regulations (EAR) - An Internet censorship against 5 countries (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria) to access to largest USA open source software sites (Sourceforge, Google Code, Fedora etc).
Internet freedom is a popular term mentioned frequently during ANTI-SOPA action. Both EAR and SOPA concern the violation of Internet freedom. The difference between these 2 censorship events is the involved population. SOPA application could impact the freedom of US citizens. EAR application violates the right of population in 5 countries. SOPA is suspended now. The censorship of 2010 (EAR) is always applied in US territory.
The real Internet freedom should be the freedom for everyone, not only for one specific population. This application cannot prevent hackers with bad intentions from getting any source code, and injures the image of USA. Is it wiser to consider removing this censorship to make the true freedom?