[FM Discuss] Fwd: [BDPA-Africa] Uganda to intercept text messages

Mon Feb 28 01:22:29 PST 2011

Yes. It shows how pathetic these regimes are to censor communications from
their citizens.

Andrew

On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 7:46 PM, Edward Cherlin <echerlin at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 02:22, Andrew Thornton <secretelf77 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Blocking occurs without a doubt in many countries. About 3 years ago I
> had a
> > penfriend who lived in Russia. She tried to send me an email about
> Muslims
> > and Chechnya. It just wouldn't go. When she took those bits out, it went.
>
> Writers worked out how to get around this sort of thing in Tsarist Russia.
>
> Plus ça change...
>
> > Andrew
> >
> > On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 6:14 PM, Edward Cherlin <echerlin at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> FYI. It's not part of our Circumvention software strategy, but it is,
> >> I think, of interest to us.
> >>
> >>
> >> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> >> From: chifu_wa_malindi <chifu2222 at gmail.com>
> >> Date: Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 10:15
> >> Subject: [BDPA-Africa] Uganda to intercept text messages
> >> To: BDPA-Africa at yahoogroups.com
> >>
> >>
> >> Uganda to intercept text messages
> >> By BENON HERBERT OLUKA
> >> Posted Friday, February 18 2011 at 13:30
> >>
> >> KAMPALA
> >>
> >> If you plan to send a mobile phone text message during the election
> >> period, you are best advised to choose your words carefully or the
> >> message could be blocked from reaching your intended recipient.
> >>
> >> The Uganda Communications Commission Friday released 18 words and
> >> names that it has instructed mobile phone short message service (SMS)
> >> to flag if they are contained in any text message. They are then
> >> supposed to read the rest of the content of the message and if it is
> >> deemed to be "controversial or advanced to incite the public", will be
> >> blocked.
> >>
> >> The words are 'Tunisia', 'Egypt', 'Ben Ali', 'Mubarak', 'dictator',
> >> 'teargas', 'kafu' (it is dead), 'yakabbadda' (he/she cried long time
> >> ago), 'emuudu/emundu' (gun), 'gasiya' (rubbish), 'army/ police/UPDF',
> >> 'people power', and 'gun/bullet'.
> >>
> >> "Messages containing such words when encountered, by the network of
> >> facility owner or operator, should be scrutinised and if deemed to be
> >> controversial or advanced to incite the public should be stopped or
> >> blocked. A report of all blocked messages should then be prepared and
> >> submitted to UCC in 48 hours," says a confidential email sent by the
> >> office of the UCC Executive Director, Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi.
> >>
> >> "A report of all blocked messages should then be prepared and
> >> submitted to UCC in 48 hours," adds the message.
> >>
> >> UCC officials Friday confirmed that a meeting held on February 15 had
> >> agreed on the words to be black-listed. UCC Media and Public Relations
> >> Specialist, Isaac Kalembe, said: "It is official communication from
> >> UCC, having been disseminated to service providers yesterday."
> >>
> >> The Manager for Communications and Consumer Affairs, Fred Otunnu, said
> >> the decision to censure text messages was part of its effort "to
> >> ensure free, fair and peaceful elections".
> >>
> >> "The main thrust behind the meeting held on February 15 with the
> >> service providers was mainly to bring to their notice the possibility
> >> of manipulation of ICT during this election period with the potential
> >> danger of inciting violence and hatred among others. The Commission
> >> told them that such periods filled with high tension and excitement
> >> are quite vulnerable to manipulation by some people who would want to
> >> use the same media to incite violence among others," he said.
> >>
> >> "We brought it to their attention that some words are likely words
> >> that may be used in trying to cause that kind of excitement. We said
> >> they should look out and if in their considered opinion a message has
> >> the potential to cause that kind of excitement, then they should
> >> minimise its broadcast by way of blocking it.
> >>
> >> "The main purpose for us as a regulator and the service providers
> >> alike is together to ensure that the services are used responsibly to
> >> foster free, fair and peaceful elections," added Mr Otunnu.
> >>
> >> Asked whether this was not a form of censorship, Mr Otunnu said: "I
> >> don't think it is censorship because censorship is much more than
> >> that. We have not actually closed down some media but even in the most
> >> democratic countries, governments have the responsibility to ensure
> >> responsible usage of such facilities."
> >>
> >> Social media has been used in many countries to mobilise people to
> >> demonstrate against incumbent governments. The decision by the UCC to
> >> bar the usage of certain words seems like an attempt to circumvent
> >> threats by some opposition parties and their supporters that they will
> >> demonstrate if elections are rigged by the ruling party.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/Uganda+to+intercept+text+messages/-/1066/1110046/-/rhbvdp/-/index.html
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ------------------------------------
> >>
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> >>
> >> --
> >> Edward Mokurai (默雷/धर्ममेघशब्दगर्ज/دھرممیگھشبدگر ج) Cherlin
> >> Silent Thunder is my name, and Children are my nation.
> >> The Cosmos is my dwelling place, the Truth my destination.
> >> http://www.earthtreasury.org/
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> --
> Edward Mokurai (默雷/धर्ममेघशब्दगर्ज/دھرممیگھشبدگر ج) Cherlin
> Silent Thunder is my name, and Children are my nation.
> The Cosmos is my dwelling place, the Truth my destination.
> http://www.earthtreasury.org/
> _______________________________________________
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> Discuss at lists.flossmanuals.net
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