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Iraq to impose controls on satellite Internet
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The Iraqi government has decided to crack down on satellite Internet service providers and ban sites that incite violence or carry pornography, officials said Tuesday, a move that has been strongly criticized by freedom of speech advocates as a dangerous first step toward political censorship.
The plan to strengthen government control of content and usage will require Internet cafes — and later the service providers as well — to obtain licenses that are subject to government review and cancellation if compliance requirements are not met.
“All Web sites that glorify terrorism and incite violence and sectarianism, or those that violate social morals with content such as pornography will be banned,” communications ministry spokesman Sameer al-Hasoon told The Associated Press by phone Tuesday.
Al-Hasoon refused to divulge further details of the committee’s recommendations, but said he expected them to be approved by the Cabinet next week. The next step would be for the government to send the draft legislation to parliament.
Another official said the ministry is planning to license five of the 10 wireless Internet service providers currently operating in Iraq. He refused to say why the five were chosen, but said the tightened restrictions will implemented in coordination with the Interior Ministry’s anti-Internet crimes directorate.