Qtel’s censoring really annoys me!

21 Jul, 2010  Annoyances

Well this was a shocker! Qtel not only goes and filters google images and ‘Age restricted’ videos on youtube, but they now block based on keywords (They force the strict safe search!)

I wanted to watch a review of the ‘Nude’ case for the iPhone 4 and got this lovely message.

*sighs*

Click to enlarge

  • Ali

    Actually, I remember strict/safe search being enforced on Google searches for at least 6 months back from now.
    Regards

  • Flip

    it really is annoying.. even the word “naked” is filtered.
    whenever I try to search for the word “Naked snake” it only shows “Snakes”

    naked snake is solid snake’s father in metal gear solid for those who doesnt know.

  • Dreamer

    You can just change the setting ,!! It’s not a big deal

  • http://www.iloveqatar.net Kei

    It is a big deal. If you read my post you would see that I had mentioned that it is enforced by the ISP.

    You CANNOT switch it off. If you switch safety search off it automatically gets switched on again.

  • http://mga-kathang-isip-ni-kiko.blogspot.com kiko

    I also tried “Naked Weapon”

  • Ali

    Well the thing is that it is quite easy to overcome the limitations setup by the ISP, or maybe it is easy for me since I am an IT pro, in either case I am not so sure how efficient these filters are, and if they should really be applied..I understand the cultural part of it but a person who wants to get to explicit material will find a way.

Freedom of Expression

    Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the Qatari Government is a signatory of states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medias and regardless of any frontiers.

    The Emiri Decision Number 86 of the year 2007 on the establishment of the Doha Free Information Centre marked yet another step towards establishing a State of rights and freedom of speech. The decision stipulated that the Centre be a non-profit organization, headquartered in Doha City, and have the authority to establish other affiliated centres inside and outside Qatar. It is worth mentioning that His Highness the Emir issued a decision in 1998 annulling the ministry of information, giving birth to a new era of freedom of speech where censorship was removed from local media.