Beltelekom: independent sites may have been blocked by other organisations
- 11.01.2008, 17:24
On 10 January many Belarusian Internet users faced blocking of sites, which spread independent information about the events in Belarus.
Internet resources of Charter’97, United Civil Party, Belarusian service of Radio Liberty, Belorusski Partizan, and popular blog service LiveJournal.com were blocked.
A representative of Beltelekom denied blocking of independent sites. “We have no concern with problems of viewing of some independent sites,” Maria Stalyarova, member of group of information and communication of Beltelekom, said.
It’s easy to understand the worker of Beltelekom. Blocking of information in network is a penal act*. That’s why she tried to put the responsibility for problems with access on to the sites. “These sites are likely to have problems with providers and hosting,” Ms. Stalyarova said.
We intimate: there were no problems with our server on 10 January. We can prove it: this information is recorded automatically. The version suggested by Beltelekom seems even more ridiculous, if take into consideration the popular amang internet users all over the world and more than 10.000 Belarusian users blog service LiveJournal.com, was unavailable for Belarusians. The new owner of LJ has apparently forgotten to pay for hosting?
Trying to find excuses, the representative of Beltelekom became entangled in her evidence. It was find out that Beltelekom “can’t reduce channel access for sites, which don’t have hosting at Beltelekom.” According to Ms. Stalyarova, “It’s impossible technically to block access.” In most countries it is really impossible, because the if a channel is blocked in a network, it’s possible to transmit data via an alternative one. But in Belarus access to global Internet is carried out through a point, which is controlled by the state network of data transmission Belpak, a structural unit of Beltelekom. In these conditions even an administrator-beginner can block or filter any internet resource.
“Perhaps, other organisations can do it, but not Beltelekom,” the representative of the state monopolist summarised.
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* We remind the articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus for Beltelekom and “other organisations”:
1. Article 351, Computer sabotage.
Intended destruction, blocking, damaging of computer information or programmes, or wrecking computer equipment, or destruction of computer system, network or data medium (computer sabotage) is punished with fine or deprivation of right to hold specific posts, or arrest from 3 to 6 months, or restraint of liberty up to 5 years, or imprisonment from 1 year to 5 years.”
2. Article 354, Development, use or spread of detrimental computer programs
Creating of computer programs or changes in existing programs for unauthorised destruction, blocking, modification, or copying of information in the computer system, network, or data media, or creating special viruses or intended using of viruses, or spreading media with such programs is punished with fine, or arrest from 3 to 6 months, or restraint of liberty or imprisonment up to 2 years.
3. Article 355, Violation of computer system or network operating rules.
1. Intended violation of computer system or network operating rules by a person who has access to the system or network, that caused reckless destruction, blocking, modification of computer information, malfunction of computer equipment or other substantial damage is punished with fine, or deprivation of right to hold specific posts, or correctional labour up to 2 years, or restraint of liberty up to 2 years.