Syria blocks Facebook access
Social networks are filled with a lot of questionable activities, but could international social spying be one of them? Syria seems to think so. The country has apparently blocked all access to the popular social networking site Facebook. As a result, no one within the Syrian borders is able to access the site. The government is concerned that Israeli’s will infiltrate Syrian social groups and networks. The ban was quietly put in effect on November 18th, though there has been no official word from the ruling party and there’s no forseeable end in site to a ban that has raised the ire of human rights organizations and citizens alike. There’s also a slight chance that this is subversive ploy by Tom and the Myspace clan to win back some much-needed traffic, though we wouldn’t hold our breath for that theory.
thehy probably got powed by the us and chinees hacking clanesalready
This is why countries such as Syria need our help. Such a shame. My life would be meaningless without the joys and subtlety Facebook brings. God bless the U.S.A.
@m.ronson .. I hope for your own sake, that you are joking ….
Dictatorship does not allow for any idea (good or bad) pr prevail if it wasn’t in support of the regime. Like it or not that is what the Assads are doing and have been doing for over 30 years now.
As if life in syria is not oppressive and depressive enough. The only view citizens have of the outside world is what they see on TV. Crime and unemployment are at their highest rates ever. And instead of fighting those society ailments they shut down internet cafes and access to various website (facebook is only one of many). People on facebook’s syria started a forum apologizing to Bashaar for something they didn’t do in hope that he would reinstate facebook(fyi, fear is the most effective tactic in syria).
Now Fahad if you couldn’t sense the sarcasm in Ronson’s comment I hope you can sense it in my last sentence. Long live Bashaar Assad.
@ GT/M. Ronson
lets get our heads out of the sand( for lack of better words) and realize that in the middle east espionage is rampid, and in my opinion i dont blame syria for being proactive at preventing possible espionage, and infiltration by its most knwon enemy Israel.
Although, it may seem a bit extreme to outsiders, its one of the few ways to control and manage the information being sought after by foreign enemies.
GT/M. Ronson,
if you two knew enough about the region then you’d know that your comments are both foolish and unedcucated.
kind regards,
Ehud olmert.
M. Ronson, that statement is why 3/4 of the world hates us.
We preach freedom and liberty for all and then pass extensions of the patriot act, great example.
@ Dtest5477
you read my mind.. Dead on!
Human rights should transcend political persuasion. It’s ridiculous that a) there are dictatorships, and b) that the right to free speech should be curtailed.
Syria is clearing using the fear and hatred of Israel as an excuse to control its population. It’s time that the we as Americans demands human rights in the Middle East!
Olmert, that’s quite an original name. It shows the level of paranoia and brainwashing you’ve been through. You think the way to infiltrate the syrian society is facebook. I could buy the highest ranking officer in that country. Heck the ex-vice president was bought so go figure. I agree with the poster above Governments (to include but no limited to the syrian one) hijack fear to accomplish their goals.
I personally never used facebook, but is it that big of a deal? To the point that countries will ban it? Sounds extreme…
As for the comments, I don’t see how it’s our business to determine how a country carries itself. First off, we should be concerned about our own issues before we worry about anothers. Second, if we interfere with how a country operates and impose our beliefs and ideals, then who is really the dictator?
GT you nailed it, Olmert IS the problem.
I am sure Syria is concerned about all the suicide attacks by Israelis…..
Let’s see, Facebook vs. blowing up civilians, yep, totally equal.
GT/
buy out officers?
i bet you dont have enough cash to pay for a flight to syria. Let alone find it on the map!..
Zachary/
Whos the US to demand anything?!
sovereign nations are free to decide upon their own governing laws and regulations within their borders….
please note: no reply necessary!
Ehud, I agree with you here.
The US should not be demanding anything in the region. Has it ever accomplished anything?
Forcing change doesn’t make it happen any smoother or easier. All it does is create more dissent.
Syria can do what it wants with Facebook, who cares.
blue,
” Second, if we interfere with how a country operates and impose our beliefs and ideals, then who is really the dictator?”
Thats very very well said.
GT/ the only visible sign of brain wash is what you exemplified with your uneducated rhetoric. please refrain from childish postings.
dddave, still watching CNN?
did anyone wetell you to think that way?
or is that your educated response?
i highly doubt its the latter!
also, its not anyones place to judge something they havent experienced nor seen first hand.
youre judging this decision based on controlled media. in the US we see what were allowed to see by the state dpt and white house.
there may not be censors so to speak, but there are interestst being served with the info being communicated to us as “free” citizens.
Ehud Olmert says “GT/ the only visible sign of brain wash is what you exemplified with your uneducated rhetoric. please refrain from childish postings.” That is the best you can come up with? “uneducated rhetoric”, hahaha, that is actually funny. How far do you want me to go back with names of Syrian officials that were bought?
He also says “GT/ buy out officers? i bet you dont have enough cash to pay for a flight to syria. Let alone find it on the map!..”
Flying either British Airways or Air France the plane ticket right now is under $1,200. Too bad only a handful of respectful carriers would take the risk to fly their multi-million dollar airplanes into Damascus’s “international” airport, otherwise, the prices would be lower.
So if you want to chip in for a plane ticket let me know and I will give you my bank account and routing number so you can pass it to your superiors, i mean send me some money for a plane ticket. Just like most boards are trolled by informants, i believe this board is too, more reasons for me not to care.
Now, if you want to discuss facts we can go ahead, but if you want to continue not seeing the elephant in the room, I got nothing for you.
Now for what I truly believe. I never used facebook, I guess I am too old, but people seem to be hooked on it. With that in mind, I don’t think any government (Syrian or Western) should infringe on the people’s right of free speech. Also, I don’t think any government (Syrian or Western) should impose their beliefs and values on each other. However, basic human rights are the same for the Syrians and non-syrians. Just because one government decided to restrict freedom of speech does not mean that it is no longer the people’s rights to speak freely.
Respectfully,
a human being who is not scared and is free to speak his mind
I agree with you GT but you say “you think” and in my opinion that is the flaw in your statements. Cultures change the way people think, and i’m not Syrian or Arabic so I would never assume that other people should live the same way as me simply because I think its right.
Also, if enough free people vote and support reforms to limit their own freedom, do you condemn them as non-democratic? in my opinion, no. But I do think that Syrian society is not for me.
Dtest, I agree with you, but freedom of speech is God’s gift. Adam was free to speak his mind and he keep inquiring about his limits in heaven.
“Also, if enough free people vote and support reforms to limit their own freedom, do you condemn them as non-democratic? in my opinion, no. But I do think that Syrian society is not for me.”
If the Syrians, or any other nation, would have a FREE elections none of the dictatorships would last a day, or at least rule an entire nation with complete disregard for the nation’s will. There has not been a single free election in Syria for over 30 years now, their latest result was 99.5% in support of the Ba’ath Party?? Funny isn’t it? If the Syrians would hold an honest election today ….. you can only imagine the outcome, but I guarantee you it is not going to be status quo.
Look at the situation in Venezuela, Chavez is so popular they almost made him a God, but the people’s freedom of speech prevented him from implementing communist laws.