Online censorship and firewalls are trade barriers says EU

The European Union struggle for freedom online censorship is declared a trade barrier.

The proposal was approved today by the European Union, which should have a serious impact on world trade. The proposal, submitted by Jules Maaten of the rightwing Dutch VVD party, who is censorship through the Internet firewall or other means to be treated as a trade barrier. The European Parliament, the EU’s legislative body adopted the proposal, 571-38.

Maaten described his proposal as an “unusual but effective” to promote freedom online. The proposal now before the European Council, which can approve or amend the proposal and send it back to Parliament. If the proposal is approved, all countries are in violation will issue in trade negotiations, with the probable effect of blocking, limiting, financially or otherwise penalize trade with those nations.

Worst effect will be China, as one of the best known and most vocal of censorship on the Internet. For example, the country encourages bloggers to register with the government, although it has reduced the registration requirement, many fear retaliation for not doing so.

China uses its “great firewall” to filter any offensive content. The firewall blocks pornography of all types, certain phrases, and certain websites, including sites containing material against the government. The country also monitors traffic and uses the information it requires service providers to jail and prosecute dissidents.

Yahoo was recently reprimanded by the U.S. Congress To provide such aid to China.

Maaten spoke to the media and was particularly critical of the policies of China. He said: “The ‘Great Chinese Firewall’ should be seen as a barrier to international trade. Addition to the American companies such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, European Internet companies as Wanadoo, Telecom Italia and France Telecom have inadvertently, to censor their services in authoritarian states. “

The proposal also could affect other nations such as Turkey, Pakistan and even Australia, which has passed the strict censorship laws that require proof of age of Internet use. In the past, USA Europe and at times have used trade sanctions or restrictions to try totalitarian regimes to force to lift censorship, but there has been virtually no legislation equate censorship as an official trade barrier.

Google recently launched a campaign to eliminate censorship around the world, very reluctantly China. Google agreement with the European Union, stating that online censorship is “the greatest obstacle to trade” in international business. It recognizes the need for sensor some illegal materials as pornography, but contends that the removal of the video line or freedom of expression because of possible political or religious concerns is unacceptable.