Govt worried about SMS and email

About A GaL SG

http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2001/yax-244.htm

Gunning for email and SMS next

Worse may yet come. So far, the issue has been that of websites and the bulletin boards they host. What about email?

Ever since the SBA was set up, they have said that email is considered private communication, and outside their regulatory ambit. But now the government is concerned that mass-mailing and SMS messaging may mobilise voters in ways unhelpful to them. So another bit of wise forbearance is likely to be thrown out of the window too.

Straits Times, 15 August 2001 [excerpt from a longer story]:

Mr Lee [Yock Suan, Minister for Information and the Arts] had said in Parliament that while such e-mail messages would be allowed if the sender did not belong to a political party, there was a possibility that the messages may be sent by an individual on behalf of a political party. Or a non-political site might do this for the same reason.

This loophole which can enable some to bypass the rules is also being looked into.

We are sliding deeper and deeper into an abyss. What draconian checks are going to be needed to determine if an individual sending email messages is doing so on behalf of a political party? And if one cannot determine the sender’s intent precisely, what are we going to do? Make the presumption that if someone sends email in support of an opposition party, he must be doing so on its behalf unless proven otherwise? In other words, guilty until proven innocent?

Or, more likely, leave the regulations vague, so that people are too scared to tell their friends that they endorse such and such a party?

ShutterBug SG

Paranoid. That's what I say.

The behaviour and mentality is like China; so communist-like!

Love Story SG

Infromation and communication technologies like internet, cellphones can radically change the world. Dont underestimate them. Something as simple as a SMS can have huge effects. The reasonwhy S’pore govt may be worried is that Internet & SMS can be used to gather swing votes, spread political propaganda without making speeches in public

ditzy SG

Tell them no worry lah, pepsi max has no sugar. Laughing

ShutterBug SG

Why should they worry??? Since they have been a good government so far, and have provided opportunities for everyone, and being transparent and all that, why should they fear anything??

EVERYONE should be voting for them! Because EVERYONE LOVES them!!

Right??

Cindyfeh SG

As a whole, China is actually more open than Singapore. The China media dares to critise gov officials (up to moderately high ones, not the highest ranking ones).

If you have China friends, ask them.

If you stayed in China for a while, you will know too.

timothytsgsg SG

The PAP has already dominated the airwaves, the radio and the printed press through SPH and MediaCorp.

The email and SMSs are the only ways we can use it to our advantage. If they get worried just because people decide to listen to more independent sources, then it only shows how paranoid and insecured our govt has become.

They are nothing but stupid chickens.

ShutterBug SG

It's simple; if you as a parent, love and brought up your child well, they will surely be filial and take care of you when they grow up, and you grow old .

Being overly strict, unbending and un-negotiable, restrictive, and regimental in bringing up a child, I'd say - good luck to you.

Our government's worry over sms, and the internet, is much like worrying that one day the a comet may strike earth.

Beyond any one's ability to control. Might as well ben the Internet and mobile phone services. No worries for them then.

Perhaps they get more votes after that.

ndsef SG

they cannot even control SDP website liao... so wat's next? Rolling Eyes

About A GaL SG

They cant exercise too much restriction on the internet if not it will portray a bad image to the rest of the world.

stellazio SG

We are communist hiding behind a democratic system.

iveco SG

Communist? More like fascist to me. Confused

alexkusu SG

didnt a country’s president get thrown out of office by the power of sms? was it estrada?

ShutterBug SG

This mindset of our government is called, INFERIOMIA; an amalgum of Paranoimia and Inferiority Complex.

Come on, everybody knows that a person or any body of people, make a name for themselves, by and through their actions - good or bad, favourably or unfavorably, popularly or unpopularly.

Control the Internet and SMS? Might as bluddy well declare Singapore a communists country!

Hey, if you keep a pet dog, no matter what or how a stranger entices your dog to run away with him, it will choose to stay by your side because it knows you treat it well. You abuse and kick your pet dog too many times, it will not just only run away with someone else, it will also bite you first.

"Natural Selection"

About A GaL SG

does anyonw predict what is the afte reffect when the internet is fully controlled by them?

ShutterBug SG

Ya well, I think the contents would probably be all about how it is better to use Public Transport, Be Courteous, Give NKF a Chance, More Locations for ERP, How CPF Will Benefit Us, yada yada yada….

About A GaL SG

what i meant is if that happens what effect will it have on society or economy.