Egypt Bans Porn Websites: Good Luck With That

from the yeah,-that'll-work... dept

Wed, May 13th 2009 5:39pm — Mike Masnick

It appears that Egypt is the latest country to think that it can ban certain websites by court mandate. In this case, it's all pornographic websites, which have been deemed "venomous and vile" by the court. The lawyer who was arguing against those sites responded happily: "Thank God we won, now the government should stop these electronic dens of vice immediately." Of course, what's been left unstated is exactly how the government can stop pornographic websites? My guess is they'll demand ISPs do it for them. However, in the meantime, we're left wondering how these "venomous and vile" sites are forcing themselves on poor Egyptians. I do plenty of web surfing and have found that simply not surfing porn websites is a rather effective way to not have to deal with such "electronic dens of vice."

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Filed Under: bans, egypt, porn, websites

33 Comments

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James Carmichael, 13 May 2009 @ 5:59pm

Ahhhh, religion. Always there for a good laugh.

I suppose I better check with my government to make sure I can still work this Sunday.

And yeah, good luck indeed.
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Chargone, 13 May 2009 @ 7:34pm

doesn't really take religion to get people to go all 'think of the children!' or equivalent and make a big noise about easy targets. nor to attempt to enact completely unenforceable laws and otherwise unworkable plans. especially with modern technology involved.

all it takes is a combination of ignorance, stupidity, and a little power.

personally, I'd be all for such a move... if it were in any way actually workable and not an horrendous wast of resources, as well as setting bad precedent.

[and i got distracted by conversations relating to a potential job offer in the middle there. wonder how obsolete this response to the first post is now? :D]
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Anonymous Coward, 13 May 2009 @ 7:42pm

Lawmakers always seem to misunderstand that as long as there is DEMAND for a product, people will find a way to OBTAIN a product. They seem to have no problem spending MY tax money on unsolvable problems (and I hesitate to call them "problems").
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Vae Victis, 13 May 2009 @ 7:48pm

EGYPT must have some super hightech monitoring system that the rest of the world doesn't seem to know about. I would surely like to get my hands on that software so I'd know who is hacking into my system. O Wait this isn't the Twilight Zone!
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Larry, 13 May 2009 @ 8:09pm

Re:
"all it takes is a combination of ignorance, stupidity, and a little power."

Well, there is your definition of Religion right there.
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Chargone, 13 May 2009 @ 8:25pm

Re: Re:
ya know, the internet is a great thing.
it allows me to think of something that might be mistaken for a witty response in sufficiently bad lighting instead of punching you in the face.
yay!

speaking of not wasting effort on futile projects [as i was earlier], I'm just gonna leave that there.
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HaloBuff, 13 May 2009 @ 9:43pm

Unfortunately, I don't have to intentionally go searching for 'vile' sites to find them. I was searching for a patch for an old game I own, and it's third-party download site (it's company has since gone under, thus no support) and every advert on the page was for unsavory services!
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Anonymous Coward, 13 May 2009 @ 10:04pm

Chargone,

Shut the **** up.
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zcat, 13 May 2009 @ 11:03pm

If they got rid of all the porn on the internet there would only be one site left, and it would be called "Bring Back the Porn!" -- Dr Cox
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Chunky Vomit, 14 May 2009 @ 12:17am

"I do plenty of web surfing and have found that simply not surfing porn websites is a rather effective way to not have to deal with such 'electronic dens of vice.'"

Easy for you to say. Your mouse probably isn't addicted to porn like mine is.
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Techflaws.org, 14 May 2009 @ 3:11am

YMMD!
Spot on!
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HD, 14 May 2009 @ 4:03am

The Real Issue
The real issue here is not pornography or sex on the net... to be blunt and simple about it, it's the rise of the Sunni fundamentalist movements within the social structure of the Egyptian society.

If a girl is walking the streets unveiled, then 99% she is Coptic Christian... Egypt has become one of the worst nations drowning in fundamentalism... the regime is trying hard to crush that movement and they are pushing upwards harder

That lawyer is known for many fucked up quests, to ban belly-dancing, to ban music on public radio, to ban foreigners from marrying Egyptians in civil marriage...

The issue itself is stupid, but one thing for sure, they are slowly uncovering Egypt's cover and showing the real face: a den for the Islamic Brotherhood fighting to take over a regime that is so weak and brittle that it cannot absorb the rising trends, update its laws, or contain the infestations that are spreading.
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HD, 14 May 2009 @ 4:04am

The Real Issue
The real issue here is not pornography or sex on the net... to be blunt and simple about it, it's the rise of the Sunni fundamentalist movements within the social structure of the Egyptian society.

If a girl is walking the streets unveiled, then 99% she is Coptic Christian... Egypt has become one of the worst nations drowning in fundamentalism... the regime is trying hard to crush that movement and they are pushing upwards harder

That lawyer is known for many fucked up quests, to ban belly-dancing, to ban music on public radio, to ban foreigners from marrying Egyptians in civil marriage...

The issue itself is stupid, but one thing for sure, they are slowly uncovering Egypt's cover and showing the real face: a den for the Islamic Brotherhood fighting to take over a regime that is so weak and brittle that it cannot absorb the rising trends, update its laws, or contain the infestations that are spreading.
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Killer_Tofu (profile), 14 May 2009 @ 6:03am

Re: Re:
And politics.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 May 2009 @ 6:38am

Hey, they offer a great carrot and stick approach. Their stick is cutting your head off. No one is quite sure what the carrot actually is.
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Chargone, 14 May 2009 @ 7:11am

I'd just like to apologize for my previous comment in this thread.

upon reflection [and after a several hours sleep. amazing what that'll do to one's perspective] i can see that it was needlessly childish and, while not exactly uncalled for, totally unhelpful.

so, yeah. sorry 'bout that.
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wammer, 14 May 2009 @ 7:24am

Ouch
Another case of getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 May 2009 @ 8:14am

Re: Re:
Nothing like a horde of trolls feeding off of each others hatred of something.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 May 2009 @ 8:17am

Re:
Yay! your too fucking stupid to figure out how to hit the "reply to this comment" link under his. Good job! Fucktard.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 May 2009 @ 8:21am

Re:
FAIL
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Guy One, 14 May 2009 @ 9:38am

Re:
HaloBuff...

its called Adblock Plus for Fire Fox... i recommend you install this add on, then return to your quest for "soavory services"
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865
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Mohamed Heiba, 15 May 2009 @ 8:18am

I can't believe you guys
First, why do you here think that blocking porn websites is that complex? saudi arabia blocks all porn websites very very simple, been there, tried it myself, ok it might be hackable (i'm sure we egyptian we'll find a way lol) but for children or less IT-skilled people, this move is by far the best the egyptian governement did (if they did it).

It is about religeon yes, but also, even in US and europe, governements prevent under 18's to participate in that?
why couldn't the under 18's just simple ignore the websites like you said, answer is because you can't resist sex, it's hormones, it's how we are, and pornography pre-marital sex have proved (scientifically) its immense harm on one's sexual health. Islam says the same "coincidence" I guess.

I and my friends were all victims to porn websites and porn channels, which if wasn't forbidden, harmful and disgusting, it would still certainly be the worst waste of time.

This move will only help us in egypt live a much better life. I won't insult you (or your morals) as you do to ours, but i'll tell you what, maybe you should consider doing the same, for your own and your children's sake (i'm gonna getta grilling comments on that LOL). we're not the only ones who want to stop sex, your governements (although didn't close "pleasure organisations" they still forbid them from going out in public as in making ads on tv, etc (AFIK)

The way I see it, wether we watched porn or stopped it, you'll still have nothing but insult to our culture, religeon and morals.

P.S. christians in egypt also think porn is disgusting
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nasch, 15 May 2009 @ 9:12am

Re: I can't believe you guys
It is about religeon yes, but also, even in US and europe, governements prevent under 18's to participate in that?

Not in the US, no. That's up to parents. I don't know about Europe, but to the best of my knowledge, they are much less concerned about nudity than either the US or the Muslim world.

pornography pre-marital sex have proved (scientifically) its immense harm on one's sexual health.

I'm sure you have references for that.

This move will only help us in egypt live a much better life.

So what you're saying is, Egyptians would rather not look at porn, but don't have the self-control to stop if it's easily available? Or they do want to look at porn but the government knows what's best for them, and will make that choice for them?

we're not the only ones who want to stop sex, your governements (although didn't close "pleasure organisations" they still forbid them from going out in public as in making ads on tv, etc (AFIK)

Correct, there are restrictions on content on broadcast television and radio, and ads in public places (billboards, etc). Obviously magazines etc can publish what they want, but there may be restrictions on displaying or selling them. Not sure about that one.

The way I see it, wether we watched porn or stopped it, you'll still have nothing but insult to our culture, religeon and morals.

If something happens, somebody on the internet will insult you for it. That's just how it is. In this case, very few people would insult you for looking at porn per se as general-interest internet forums seem to be very pro-porn. You could catch some flak for hypocrisy though, and certainly repressive (anti-free-speech) laws will get criticized.
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Koby Teith, 20 May 2009 @ 11:45am

Re: I can't believe you guys
Go back to Cuba, communist.
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Anonymous, 22 May 2009 @ 2:18am

Re: Re: I can't believe you guys
Toby Keith, well done. You typify the redneck idiot American that nobody wants or likes. Grow up.
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Anonymous Coward, 24 Jun 2009 @ 12:13pm

It's not about the websites. It's about the personal ways of thinking of the individuals, in Egypt or anywhere else.

The fact that there is electricity all over the world doesn't make Amish people buy electrical devices. Except the ones who want it or the ones who leave their way of life, of course.

The fact that there is porn sites out there won't make people who don't want to see them and use them, be harmed in any way...

On the other hand, any lawyer who thinks he won over "dens of vice" with that court ruling, is an amazing lawyer; he should be promoted immediately, to "Lawyer Joke of the Year 2009"!

Just my two pennies.
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sam, 31 Jul 2009 @ 11:00pm

Re:
fuck u
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Beelzebub, 14 Aug 2009 @ 9:54am

Will never happen
Egypt is just another fly infested sand box that boast of their abilities when in fact they can barely feed the mouths of their own people. Backwards in beliefs and in their own little microcosm of ignorance of what the world is really like today. Stuck in the Dark Ages of time. I sincerely doubt any place like Egypt or Saudi Arabia will ever 100% stop access to immoral Internet sites. It's the old clerics that are rapidly dying off who control the morality and politics of those governments. The youth are no longer blinded and "protected" by those autocrats; change is coming and it will begin in Iran.
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David, 27 Jan 2010 @ 12:40pm

I don't think it hast to do with religion but relevance and morals. 72 percent of men watch porn, congratulation your a bunch of peeping tomes, losers, and a product, of loser, rape, molestation, backwards ideologies
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Feb 2010 @ 2:07pm

Re:
@David You sir, are an idiot.
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Jeddy, 14 May 2010 @ 1:22pm

If any government is allowed to censor anything, it will not only be porn that it will censor everything it considers offensive will be censored. Opinions vary as to what is offensive and what is not. Outright condemnation of the government will be censored. Police brutality reports will be censored. Crimes committed by the military will censored. The news about a civil servant accepting huge bribes will be censored. A mother being told how to breastfeed her child would be censored. The list goes on. Never encourage censorship, because one day someone will come and destroy your life and you will never be able to get your story across. No will know what happened to you. At no any kind of censorship is acceptable in any form. No regulations should exist as what people view and download. The power of censorship will result in the persecution of those viewing or downloading anything. The government should never be allowed to censor anything ever. Dictators use censorship as means to stop people from criticising them and their regime. They fear public opinion. Many countries once considered free are turning into dictatorship not allowed different opinions and any kind of criticism. Prevent censorship when you still have the freedom to do so.
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voice of reason, 4 Oct 2010 @ 4:34pm

scientifically, premature exposure to pornographic materials creates an addiction you dont need to be a sociology prof. to know that. you guys can also Google porn creeps its a proven fact. u can't ban all forms of porn but the ban will certainly reduce kids exposure to porn. as for restrictions on porn in the usa there are restrictions and if it wasn't for the lobbyist that support the adult industry in the usa it would be a lot different. i was exposed to porn as a teen and it actually caused an addiction for years. now as a parent i wouldn't want my kids to go through such addictions and therefore i pay 15 dollars extra on my cable bill for my isp to block porn plus i have a software installed on all home pc's to block all kinds of adult and unrated contents on the internet also have parental control on tv. i think what egypt is doing is good for kids after all adults who still want porn can resort to more conventional means like dvds and vhs tapes throught underground channels and black market vendors.
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Marie, 18 Oct 2010 @ 6:36am

Egypt is the biggest country in the arab world and also the biggest porn consumer, they actually consume more porn than Europe and USA.

I totally agree with this ideea that porn be banned.
@Beelzebub it isnt about them beeing communist or narrow minded it is just that the figures here are at alarming rates also has a negative impact on the egyptian society, if you check the internet traffic at a multinational company here you will be amazed . I have colleagues who surf porn over 6 hours a day
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