[x-pubpol] Pakistan blocks encryption / VPNs

[Joly MacFie]

http://www.domain-b.com/infotech/itnews/20110829_private_browsing.html

All  Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been directed by the Pakistan
Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to prevent internet users from using
technology that would allow them to privately browse the internet.

According to a PTA spokesman the directive was intended only to stop
militants from using secure internet connections to communicate with each
other. However he admitted that this was only possible by preventing all
internet users in Pakistan from using virtual private networks (VPNs),
according to the Express Tribune newspaper.

With a VPN two or more users can share data without it being monitored by
anyone else.

The PTA, meanwhile, is coming down more vigorously on offending sites. The
website of Rolling Stone, a pop-culture and politics magazine has been
blocked since July. Though the PTA spokesman confirmed the website had been
blocked he said he was not aware of he reason behind the action.

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