The recent history of governments vs. the Internet

RIM-UAE dust up only the latest example of countries fighting access

At what price free information?

"Information wants to be free," the saying goes. But what if the information in question consists of state secrets, copyrighted material or is simply something a government doesn't want its citizens to see?

Well, that's where things get tricky. Since the Web makes it far easier to access information than ever before, governments have had a harder time keeping the lid on information they don't want the public to consume and have often found themselves butting heads with tech companies who deliver Internet services or content. The most recent flap is between BlackBerry maker Research in Motion and two Middle Eastern countries that want to restrict what their citizens can do with their BlackBerry devices. In this slideshow we'll provide you with a brief overview of some of the battles over information that governments have waged against tech companies over the past decade, from Sweden's battle against Pirate Bay to Saudi Arabia's RIM restrictions.

3 of 6
VIEW ALL THUMBNAILS

Most Popular

What's the difference between an Intel Core i3, i5 and i7?
Samsung’s 2013 Smart TVs: everything you need to know
How do I connect my TV to the Internet?
Laser vs. inkjet printers: which is better?
Windows 7 Home Premium vs. Windows 7 Professional

Best Deals on PCWorld

Networking, Wireless & VoIPView all »
NotebooksView all »
TabletsView all »
Mobile PhonesView all »
Printers & ScannersView all »

Plan Comparison

Prev Next
Loading...
Deals powered by WhistleOut

rhs_login_lockSign up to PC World Today for the latest news, reviews and galleries from PC World Australia.

Resources

Broadband test
Is your internet really as fast as you think it is? Find out here.