Wow....breathtaking in its Orwellian authoritarianism and gross abuse of power.
Another reason I won't be moving to Pakistan.
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Pakistan bans 'obscene' words on cell phone texts
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Texters in Pakistan better start watching their language.
Pakistan's telecommunications authority sent a letter ordering cell phone companies to block text messages containing what it perceives to be obscenities, Anjum Nida Rahman, a spokeswoman for Telenor Pakistan, said Friday.
It also sent a list of more than 1,500 English and Urdu words that were to be blocked.
The order was part of the regulator's attempt to block spam messages, said Rahman. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority refused to comment on the initiative.
Many of the words to be blocked were sexually explicit terms or swear words, according to a copy of the list obtained by The Associated Press.
It also included relatively mild terms like fart and idiot.
The reasons for blocking some words, including Jesus Christ, headlights and tampon, were less clear, raising questions about religious freedom and practicality. Any word could conceivably be part of a spam message.
The letter, which was also obtained by the AP, was dated Nov. 14 and gave cell phone companies seven days to implement the order.
Rahman, the Telenor spokeswoman, said her company first received the letter Thursday and was discussing how to proceed.
"It's a big issue, so it is being examined carefully from all points of view," said Rahman.
The letter said the order was legal under a 1996 law preventing people from sending information through the telecommunications system that is "false, fabricated, indecent or obscene."
It also stated that free speech can be restricted "in the interest of the glory of Islam."
Under pressure from Islamists, Pakistan has blocked pornographic websites and ones deemed anti-Islamic. Last year, it temporarily banned Facebook because of material on the site deemed offensive to Islam.
"Getting a job, finding a mate, having a place to live, finding a creative outlet. Life is a war of attrition. You have to stay active on all fronts. It's one thing after another. I've tried to control a chaotic universe. And it's a losing battle. But I can't let go. I've tried, but I can't." - Harvey Pekar
Wow....breathtaking in its Orwellian authoritarianism and gross abuse of power.
Another reason I won't be moving to Pakistan.
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Formerly-- ICanHasClassWar?
Well at least they're admitting to what they've done.
Gotta say though, this could lead to quite possibly the most hilarious act of civil disobedience ever, just imagine the telephone companies being flooded with millions of messages consisting only of 'FART.'
[FONT=Trebuchet MS] Anti-Currency[/FONT][FONT=Book Antiqua]"I'm not a fascist, I'm a priest. Fascists dress in black and go around telling people what to do, whereas...priests..."
-Father Ted Crilly[/FONT]
Certainly doesn't deviate from the stereotype that theocracies are downright crazy.
