Cambodia determined to implement China-style 'Great Firewall' despite glitches

Cambodia is looking to imitate China's internet restrictions but it has already run into technical issues. The government says it wants to tackle cybercrime but activists argue it's an attempt to muzzle free speech.

A controversial scheme to route all internet traffic through a Chinese-style 'firewall' was delayed in Cambodia this week just as it was supposed to go live, giving pro-democracy activists some respite in their efforts to maintain online freedoms.

In February of last year, the government adopted a sub-decree on the establishment of the National Internet Gateway (NIG), a system designed to route all internet traffic, including from overseas, through a single portal. Internet service providers (ISPs) will also be required to maintain information about the correct identities of their users.

According to the government, the NIG will increase state revenue collection and help tackle cybercrime. Human rights campaigners say it is designed primarily to crack down on free speech and dissent in Cambodia, a country ranked as one of the least democratic nations in Asia by Freedom House.

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