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NEWS > TECHNOLOGY > LIBYA ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OVER THE INTERNET
LIBYA ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OVER THE INTERNET
October 12 2010
Tripoli, Libya – Every technology brings with it a raft of imitators and opportunists seeking to make their own dreams come true through someone else’s hard work. While it’s certainly true that many times those actions result in positive results, simply 
look at any art form to see such, they can also result in hard an negative issues that end up perverting the intent of the original technology and preventing further exploitation of the medium for future generations.
As the preeminent technology of our times, the internet is undoubtedly to most influential and disruptive technologies of our time, and one of the most significant ever. As such it has become the subject of a great deal of controversy and the object of many affections. While certainly, the companies such as Facebook and Google which have cropped up through the medium are at the heart of the battle for its affections, so too have external powers sought to garner the attention and control of the medium. That is clearly evident in increasing government regulation throughout the world which often limits access and manipulates what people see. Countries such as China and North Korea have been the most prominent examples, but even advanced nations such as Italy and the United States have engaged in their own attempts to control the internet and now a new player has come on the scene as Libya attempts to take control of not only the technology in their country, but throughout the world.
“Pornography and adult material aren't allowed under Libyan Law, therefore we removed the domain. The domain’s purpose was to serve as a 'sex-friendly URL shortener' mainly for adult uses,” said the Libyans in statement. “We cannot allow such domains to be registered as though they are associated with the country of Libya, the government of Libya, or the people of Libya. Such offenders will be brought to justice and their website will be removed because this is what must be done. We will decide who is the offender.”
The domain in question, VB.ly (now defunct) is seen as merely the first salvo in an attempt by the Libyan government to gain control of the web and the internet as a whole.
“By definition the web is supposed to be neutral, it is designed to allow for the free
form passing of information amongst different peoples throughout the world regardless of their location or language or other such considerations. More and more that is becoming a political issue,” said Scrape TV Technology analyst Ken Kevins. “While it certainly is a hot topic in the U.S. and China, and even Europe, this is the first time it has reared its ugly head in Africa. While superficially it may seem right that Africans are just starting to become aware of this issue, the reality is that Libya in particular has had a sophisticated internet culture for a number of years. Now though they are attempting to take control, which is something new.”
Libya was the first country to purchase laptops for all of its school age children.
“Gaddafi has been quiet for the past few months so perhaps this is his attempt to get back in the news. However if he is indeed attempting to gain total control of the internet then there may be no stopping him,” continued Kevins. “With so many internet users under the direct hand of the government they could very easily gain a very strong foothold on the internet and turn towards their own uses. Then we will of course be under the control of a vaguely rational dictator watching our every move.”
Gaddafi is reportedly very interested in removing the current 5000 friend cap on Facebook which may be part of his motivation.
Martin Philton, Technology Correspondent
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