Bad software, worse content

The government should think twice before rushing to buy software, which claims to ensure clean Internet space for teenagers, says an article in the Beijing Times. Excerpts:

According to recent reports, the government purchased, at a cost of 417 million yuan, a software called Green Dam, claiming that it can block pornographic texts and pictures from teenage Internet users, and that the software would be available free.

As more and more teenagers surf the Internet, it's imperative to build a healthy and clean cyber space for the young people. But, it's hard to find a perfect solution to this issue. As the government officials concerned were candid enough to admit, the purchase and promotion of this type of screening software is a "tentative" effort. If it is tentative, why is the government so proactive in promoting this software?

Currently, the software is not as effective technically as it claimed to be; and, users may frequently experience glitches on account of this software. The huge amount spent should have been used to let the companies and users conduct more tests before the product being released in the market.

More important is the fact that this software uses database to screen unhealthy Internet information. Who should be in charge of the maintenance of the special database: the software company or the government? Who should be the final judge to decide on the principles of deleting information involved with violence and pornography?

In addition, people question whether the huge money so spent may help establish a monopolistic market. That may have a negative impact on the development of this niche market.

(China Daily 06/18/2009 page8)