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China Eases Filtering Mandate

Filtering still required in Internet cafes, schools and other locations that provide public computer access.

The Chinese government has relaxed its mandate that computer manufacturers must install the Green Dam Youth Escort software on computers sold in that country. It delayed implementation before the deadline, saying that more time was needed. The new rules will not require the software on home computers, but Internet cafes, schools and other locations that provide public computer access must comply, according to the Xinhua news agency.

While the Chinese government says that Green Dam is for the purpose of limiting access to pornography and violent content, critics charged that the filtering had a larger political agenda and served to limit access to controversial subjects and Web sites.

Wayne E. Hanson served as a writer and editor with e.Republic from 1989 to 2013, having worked for several business units including Government Technology magazine, the Center for Digital Government, Governing, and Digital Communities. Hanson was a juror from 1999 to 2004 with the Stockholm Challenge and Global Junior Challenge competitions in information technology and education.