Internet freedom was a topic that Obama decided to tackle during his conversation with Chinese students in Shanghai. His message was veiled but clear enough to penetrate through the ranks of the Communist Party. Many favourite American websites like Twitter and Facebook has been barred in China although the number of Chinese websites have mushroomed. If Americans could read Chinese, many will find that these websites are very ingenious and certainly could rival American inventions. So why are the Chinese so sceptical about Facebook or Twitter? Are they afraid of capitalist indoctrination?
Perhaps during times of relative peace, the internet is seen as rather benign. However for a superpower like China, American intentions are always seen with scepticism. Computers are a great invention, but almost all computers are controlled by American softwares like Microsoft and Apple. Much of their programming codes are shrouded in secrecy and many are not aware if spywares are perhaps part of the purchase. I am confident that if one delves into the files of the FBI or Secret Service, one will unravel a disturbing truth that the United States will try hard to deny.
It is easy to install spywares into a system. Our Windows for example, is perpetually communicating with the Microsoft servers for updates which many of us are unaware of. So spying on another Government’s activities is easy when most of their computers are running Windows.
Take me to task that this is not happening.
So surely, it is in the American’s interests that internet be free. Until we get a truly transparent operating system, for example Linux, to run the world’s computers, then and only then can many countries view the internet with more optimism.
