New Cybercrime Regs Would Open Back Door To Censorship

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter -

 

A blocked website shows a notice from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society with the message, 'This website contains content and information that is deemed inappropriate. It has been censored by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society' on Thursday. Photo: Associated Press

 

BANGKOK — An online right advocate pointed out Monday that the latest proposed changes to the Computer Crime Act and its supporting laws would provide the authorities with direct access to deleting things from the internet.

 

In the latest draft of the controversial act and its related regulations made public Friday, the new Ministry of Digital Economy and Society would set up a central system to manage the removal of online content. It would be connected to the systems of cooperating internet service providers so authorities could directly remove content.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2016/11/21/new-cybercrime-regs-open-back-door-censorship/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2016-11-22

Censorship, Internet control etc, Isn't that the general idea ?

Thailand was probably not the first choice for setting up internet servers even before this.

And now not even on the chart. 

Great idea! The creation of hundreds of new jobs.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In the latest draft of the controversial act and its related regulations made public Friday, the new Ministry of Digital Economy and Society would set up a central system to manage the removal of online content. It would be connected to the systems of cooperating internet service providers so authorities could directly remove content.

 

That is a very interesting concept. If they didn't just block the site, but actually remove content as stated above, where does that put them within the laws of a site hosted outside of Thailand?

 

This curtailment of free opinion IMO will eventually twist the rope around their own necks. It will not address any of the problems they think they are seeing.

It's very worrying,who decides what is inappropriate,I suppose

any criticism  of the Government,Armed Forces,even if true will

be quickly deleted (as its reported ),from view,and we all will be 

fed what they want us to know.

regards worgeordie

2 hours ago, NongKhaiKid said:

Censorship, Internet control etc, Isn't that the general idea ?

The generals idea?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

authorities could directly remove content

No check and balance to possible government abuse to what is deemed inappropriate - no charges, court hearing or appeal process. This is Prayut's idea of judicial reform?

10 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

No check and balance to possible government abuse to what is deemed inappropriate - no charges, court hearing or appeal process. This is Prayut's idea of judicial reform?

Maybe it's his idea of reform to speed up the system by cutting out the ' middlemen ' such as the courts, no need for unnecessary paperwork etc.

I especially like the word "would" in the headline.

So....Where is Anonymous now and all the other loudmouths that were going to hack the Thai government web sites and had protested on the internet and this and that...OH, THE SINGLE GATEWAY, THE GOVERNMENT IS SPYING ON US....The sky is falling, help, help, help......I thought as much, GONE...! Similar to the junta lovers and boot lickers when the scrap hit the fan....GONE.

it is called martial law under a military junta after a coup.  no surprises there.

3 hours ago, chrisinth said:

 

That is a very interesting concept. If they didn't just block the site, but actually remove content as stated above, where does that put them within the laws of a site hosted outside of Thailand?

 

This curtailment of free opinion IMO will eventually twist the rope around their own necks. It will not address any of the problems they think they are seeing.

I think we could expect statements on behalf of everybody and anybody that they were in agreement and fully co-operating with the junta and perhaps there will be letters etc to that effect that the junta can't or won't produce.

31 minutes ago, Caveat Emptor said:

I think we could expect statements on behalf of everybody and anybody that they were in agreement and fully co-operating with the junta and perhaps there will be letters etc to that effect that the junta can't or won't produce.

 

That may work for ISP's after pressure is put on them, but for site owners, hosting outside Thailand, I don't think they will be best pleased when they find their site has been tampered with while still viewing to the rest of the world.

 

I'm actually putting this down to bad translation from what has been said to what has been written in the OP. Either that or someone is off their meds........................

No surprises here. Democracy hijacked by the military, this is yet another step in the process of enforcing compliance and obedience.

3 hours ago, NongKhaiKid said:

Maybe it's his idea of reform to speed up the system by cutting out the ' middlemen ' such as the courts, no need for unnecessary paperwork etc.

 

The previous PTP regime tried to get people prosecuted by the Cyber police for even daring to "like" a social media post that dared criticize them or their leaders in any way. (Whatever happened to General Pisit the man who warned people about clicking "likes"?).

 

The current government want to remove it so you can't click like and get into trouble. 

 

See, prevention is better than punishment. 

 

Who cares they are IT illiterate anyway and there obvious ways around any 'ban' that an 8 year old can perform, added to that 'banned' sites seem freely accessible via apps on phones and tablets. 

6 hours ago, chrisinth said:

where does that put them within the laws of a site hosted outside of Thailand?

You will notice that laws from outside states are also being massaged and manipulated. Its a coordinated attack on the freedom of speech. You may speak freely in the future but they will hand you a script. Don't stray. 

Back door?  Sounds more like the front door to me!  They have no shame, preaching about transparency and openness but doing the exact opposite.

11 hours ago, webfact said:

would provide the authorities with direct access to deleting things from the internet.

 

Deleting things from the internet?

 

Really, who writes these stories.

 

6 minutes ago, Anthony5 said:

 

Deleting things from the internet?

 

Really, who writes these stories.

 

I guess they mean that every ISP in Thailand must give full access to the servers in case of unwanted content even without any warrant. What a nightmare BTW and just another step back for Thailand being a Internet Hub. Some people still hope that Thailand would become Asia's leading Internet Hub. http://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/local-news/835036/investment-call-to-become-a-digital-infrastructure-hub

2 hours ago, Anthony5 said:

 

Deleting things from the internet?

 

Really, who writes these stories.

 

 

1 hour ago, SoFarAndNear said:

 

 

I guess they mean that every ISP in Thailand must give full access to the servers in case of unwanted content even without any warrant. What a nightmare BTW and just another step back for Thailand being a Internet Hub. Some people still hope that Thailand would become Asia's leading Internet Hub. http://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/local-news/835036/investment-call-to-become-a-digital-infrastructure-hub

 

Web content isn't stored on the ISP servers, it's stored at thousands different host servers, so even with full access to the ISP all they can do is block content.

 

Deleting content from the internet by a third party other than the host is simply impossible as far as I'm aware

And they want to be the Internet Hub for Asia HA it will never happen

Who wants to run a multi national internet business based in Thailand NO ONE

They will all go to Hong Kong or Singapore

No need for this small mentality  country  that wants to regulate when you go to the bathroom

Edited November 22, 20169 yr by realenglish1

The biggest online newspaper on the internet is The Daily Mail (mail online). It is also banned in Thailand.

"New Cybercrime Regs Would Open Back Door To Censorship"

 

What's the big deal? The front door has been open to censorship forever.

 

Oops. Am I allowed to say that?