German envoy voices concerns about China web restrictions

AFP, BEIJING: A potential ban in China on software to avoid the country’s censors could make it “impossible” to communicate privately online, the German ambassador warned yesterday.

German envoy Michael Clauss said the possible prohibition of virtual private networks (VPNs) and the recent blockage of WhatsApp have raised concerns among foreign businesses.

China has one of the world’s most restrictive mechanisms for online censorship, deleting content deemed politically sensitive while blocking certain Western websites and apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Google.

Some businesses and individuals employ VPNs to bypass the so-called “Great Firewall” and access the unfettered web.

But Beijing mandated in January that all developers must obtain government licences to offer such software, and there has been mounting concern that it might ban them outright.

“It would be difficult if not practically impossible for individuals and companies alike to communicate in a safe and confidential electronic environment” if such a policy were enforced, Clauss said in a statement posted to the embassy website.

“If digital communication was throttled, it could have detrimental effects for China’s relationship with the outside world, including Germany,” Clauss said.

Clauss said the Communist Party’s national congress, which opens Wednesday, will give signals “on whether the trend of further opening up is meant to continue or not.”

The intermittent blocking of Facebook’s messaging app WhatsApp ahead of the party congress had also caused “growing concern” over China’s intention to further restrict access to international information, Clauss added.

Many Chinese activists favour WhatsApp over local messaging apps because of its end-to-end encryption function—one likely viewed unfavourably by authorities

German envoy voices concerns about China web restrictions

AFP, BEIJING: A potential ban in China on software to avoid the countrys censors could make it impossible to communicate privately online, the German ambassador warned yesterday. German envoy Michael Clauss said the possible prohibition of virtual private networks (VPNs) and the recent blockage of WhatsApp have raised concerns among foreign businesses. China has one of the worlds most restrictive mechanisms for online censorship, deleting content deemed politically sensitive while blocking certain Western websites and apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Google. Some businesses and individuals employ VPNs to bypass the so-called Great Firewall and access the unfettered web. But Beijing mandated in January that all developers must obtain government licences to offer such software, and there has been mounting concern that it might ban them outright. It would be difficult if not practically impossible for individuals and companies alike to communicate in a safe and confidential electronic environment if such a policy were enforced, Clauss said in a statement posted to the embassy website. If digital communication was throttled, it could have detrimental effects for Chinas relationship with the outside world, including Germany, Clauss said. Clauss said the Communist Partys national congress, which opens Wednesday, will give signals on whether the trend of further opening up is meant to continue or not. The intermittent blocking of Facebooks messaging app WhatsApp ahead of the party congress had also caused growing concern over Chinas intention to further restrict access to international information, Clauss added. Many Chinese activists favour WhatsApp over local messaging apps because of its end-to-end encryption functionone likely viewed unfavourably by authorities