Changes

Ever concerned about internal and external political threats, CNNIC and the Chinese Government often see the internet as one of the most threatening resources available to any potential opposition.

Ever concerned about internal and external political threats, CNNIC and the Chinese Government often see the internet as one of the most threatening resources available to any potential opposition.

The '''Green Dam Youth Escort''' was an attempt to mandate all computer producers to distribute filtering software with their products. The project received government backing of April, of 2009 and a few months later it was pressing forward with a universal requirement of the filter.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090608_chinas_green_dam_youth_escort_software/ CircleID]</ref> The filter was immediately downloaded and used by schools and other areas of the public sector, but many businesses and individuals took issue with the mandate. The project was eventually scaled back and a universal requirement never seems to have been fully enforced.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/world/asia/18china.html?_r=1 NYT]</ref>

The '''Green Dam Youth Escort''' was an attempt to mandate all computer producers to distribute filtering software with their products. The project received government backing in April, 2009, and a few months later it was pressing forward with a universal requirement of the filter.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090608_chinas_green_dam_youth_escort_software/ CircleID]</ref> The filter was immediately downloaded and used by schools and other areas of the public sector, but many businesses and individuals took issue with the mandate. The project was eventually scaled back and a universal requirement never seems to have been fully enforced.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/world/asia/18china.html?_r=1 NYT]</ref>

However, in December of that year new, very broad, restrictions were announced. About 700 websites were shut down, and others came under scrutiny with threats of termination. Individuals were banned from registering .cn websites, which are now only open to Chinese corporations.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/world/asia/18china.html?_r=1 NYT]</ref> The ban against foreign individuals, registrars, and other entities registering .cn domains came in January, 2010.<ref>[http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/010610_CNNIC_Suspends_New_Foreign_CN_Registrations_Indefinitely WHIR]</ref>

However, in December of that year new, very broad, restrictions were announced. About 700 websites were shut down, and others came under scrutiny with threats of termination. Individuals were banned from registering .cn websites, which are now only open to Chinese corporations.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/world/asia/18china.html?_r=1 NYT]</ref> The ban against foreign individuals, registrars, and other entities registering .cn domains came in January, 2010.<ref>[http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/010610_CNNIC_Suspends_New_Foreign_CN_Registrations_Indefinitely WHIR]</ref>

CNNIC has been accused of monitoring its internet users with malware and spyware;<ref>[http://lwn.net/Articles/372386/ Blog]</ref> this is compounded by Mozilla, Microsoft, and Mac's addition of the CNNIC root to its [[CA]], Certificate Authorities, where malware is not required but trusted encryption tools.<ref>[http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/china-stuff/china-tech/the-state-network-information-center-wants-to-spy-on-you-heres-how-to-stop-them/ Lost Laowai]</ref>

CNNIC has been accused of monitoring its internet users with malware and spyware;<ref>[http://lwn.net/Articles/372386/ Blog]</ref> this is compounded by Mozilla, Microsoft, and Mac's addition of the CNNIC root to its [[CA]], Certificate Authorities, where malware is not required but trusted encryption tools.<ref>[http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/china-stuff/china-tech/the-state-network-information-center-wants-to-spy-on-you-heres-how-to-stop-them/ Lost Laowai]</ref>

==CNNIC and ICANN==

==CNNIC and ICANN==

[[ICANN]] has been working with CNNIC in its efforts to expand [[TLD]]s in chinese characters. In May, 2010, CNNIC announced that it had received approval from [[ICANN]] to create the [[TLD]]  ".zhongguo" (written in pinyin).<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-04/28/content_9787727.htm China Daily]</ref> .Zhongguo domain names are available in both simplified and traditional Chinese characters.   

[[ICANN]] has been working with CNNIC in its efforts to expand [[TLD]]s in chinese characters. In May, 2010, CNNIC announced that it had received approval from [[ICANN]] to create the [[TLD]]  ".zhongguo" (written in pinyin).<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-04/28/content_9787727.htm China Daily]</ref> .Zhongguo domain names are available in both simplified and traditional Chinese characters.