Pakistan to ban Google

[Saifullah Sani]

Pakistan warns Google to 'clean' YouTube or face ban

Ellyne Phneah

Pakistan's new IT minister has warnedit would block Google in the country if the company fails to remove "blasphemous and objectionable" material from YouTube.

The country's minister of state for IT and telecommunications Anusha Rahman Khan, made the remarks on her first day in office on Sunday while talking about Pakistan's efforts to end a nine-month ban on YouTube for hosting clips from the controversial anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims", The Times of India reported.

The parent company of YouTube had rejected requests from the previous Pakistan People's Party-led government to remove the objectionable material and Khan said she hoped the company will listen to the new government.

"It all depends on our negotiation clout. If they persist with their stance, we can block Google in Pakistan as a last resort as there are many alternative search engines available on the Web," Khan was quoted as saying in Pakistan news site, The News Daily.

In response to queries, Google told ZDNet Asia it offered localized versions of YouTube with customized content in 56 countries worldwide and abides by the laws and restrict access to videos when notified that it is illegal.

However, Pakistan was not on the list so it continues to access the global version of YouTube, Google noted.

"It is Google's goal to offer local versions of YouTube to more places worldwide, but it takes time," a Google spokesperson said. "The localization process can be lengthy as we research laws and build relationships with local content creators. Eventually, we hope to be localized everywhere."

"Innocence of Muslims" triggered violent protests by right wing groups across Pakistan and the former government sanctioned a day of protests in September last year. Pakistan then banned YouTube on September 17, 2013 but in January, the country's prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said the government will lift the ban and reopen YouTube after work on a filter mechanism is complete.

Pakistan warns Google to 'clean' YouTube or face ban | ZDNet

 

[Asian.Century]

As you know youtube in Pakistan is banned since long long time over movie on Mohammed (pbuh) and Muslims...now the new IT minister:

Pakistan threatens to ban Google unless it cleans up YouTube

Islamabad, June 12 (TruthDive): The Press Trust of India reported that the new IT minister of Pakistan has warned that Google could be blocked in the country if the company fails to remove blasphemous and objectionable material from video-sharing website YouTube, owned by Google.

YouTube has been banned since September when clips from a controversial film, Innocence of Muslims, triggered demonstrations around the world. “Innocence Of Muslims” generated violent protests by right wing groups across Pakistan and the PPP-led government itself sanctioned a day of protests in September last year.

Anusha Rahman Khan, minister of State for IT and Telecommunication has hinted she will block the search engine altogether if YouTube does not remove unsuitable material. She said her ministry would start work this week on a web filter that would screen out blasphemous and pornographic content, as well as asking Google for help.

But, Google has denied to remove blasphemous content from YouTube in Pakistan, stating that the localisation process of YouTube in Pakistan would take time, as it is looking for suitable laws.

Zeffri Yusof, head of the Google Malaysia Communications and public affairs said that Google was providing a localised version of YouTube in 49 countries around the world. He said they give local content that is more applicable to the users in that country and abiding by the laws of that particular country and limited access to a video when it is informed that it is illegal in that particular country.

Yusof further stated countries like Pakistan have access to a global version of the site and they need to be notified of the video content in order to customise its access in a particular country after a thorough review.

The head stated the localisation process is a lengthy one, as they need to research laws and build relationships with local content creators.

 

[Jazzbot]

Ban every fking thing and bomb us all once and for all.. idiots..

 

[A.Rafay]

This lady minister is an idiot, Google says localization process will take time, why can't she wait till then?? Its her ego she is satisfying!

 

[IceCold]

What nonsense. PML is trying to please the right wing extremist. Waisa namaz parni nahi, roza rakhna nahi, baat baat per jhoot bolna ha, corruption kerna.........bloody hypocrites.

 

[Argus Panoptes]

@Aeronaut The title of the thread is wrong. Pakistan is NOT banning the Internet. Issues with Google, yes, but no ban so far.

 

[Safriz]

Bing will be a good alternative...
Its good Pakistan Keeps these internet giants under check..
We all know what Internet did ti Syria,Egypt,Libya and now doing to Turkey....

Internet has become a great tool for propaganda and making countries unstable...

 

[Android]

Pakistan threatens to ban Google unless it cleans up YouTube

does ban on Google means ban on every Google products including Android based phones and tablets???

 

[Sugarcane]

Ban all social media sites along with PDF

 

[Ayush]

it is only google..

 

[veekysingh]

Ban all social media sites along with PDF

then how I will enjoy pak VS india threads?

 

[Sugarcane]

then how I will enjoy pak VS india threads?

You should visit LOC to enjoy live action

 

[Jungibaaz]

This lady is stupid.
Either that or she knows that what she's saying is stupid.

PMLN posturing at it's best.

 

[Jazzbot]

does ban on Google means ban on every Google products including Android based phones and tablets???

Imposing a ban on google will mean every site / service which is directly or indirectly linked with google will be useless. So probably the answer is yes..

 

[AstanoshKhan]

Tune.pk is a Pakistani website who has achieved millions views since YouTube's blockage and is constantly growing worldwide too... I'm all up for local search engines' promotion too even if the Govt. has to ban Google/Bing/Ask for the sake of it.