AltaVista blocked in China

Internet Business News, Sept 6, 2002

INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)1995-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The Chinese Government has blocked access to the AltaVista.com search engine.

The move follows the blocking of the Google web site, which has resulted in freedom groups calling for a lift of the ban.

The country regularly blocks web sites from its 45 million Internet users or demands that political material be removed, but this is the first time that search engines have been banned, which do not usually offer content themselves.

Recently 130 web portals signed a voluntary agreement with China not to post information that could effect the social stability or state security on their sites.

The security of satellite communications networks is also being tightened with planned checks on unauthorised use of satellite networks and ground relay stations.

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