Changes

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>

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 and 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>

Constant pressure is put on blocking pornography, and other threatening material, which include bans on Facebook and Twitter.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/world/asia/18china.html?_r=1 NYT]</ref>

Constant pressure is put on blocking pornography, and other threatening material, which include bans on Facebook and Twitter.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/world/asia/18china.html?_r=1 NYT]</ref>