New law could ban US servers in China

[jayfish]

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060213-6172.html

A draft of the law is not yet complete, so specifics are few, but we do know that the bill would seek to keep US companies from installing or running servers located in countries that the State Department labels as "repressive regimes." This seems a direct shot at Google, who recently announced their plans to run Google.cn from servers in China, even if it meant censoring search results. Smith's law could go futher than this, however, by setting up export controls on filtering hardware and software. It would also create a new office in the State Department (which Smith's committee oversees) to monitor Internet censorship in other countries.

Anyone have any thoughts about changing the name of this group. IMO, keeping it to help and support issues seems a bit limiting.

Jay

[landdaddy]

1. With ya on the name change.

Wanted to rant about some hardware but had nowhere to go with it here.
Hey Skinnnnnerrrr, yo Skinner!

[democracyindanger]

2. You might ask Skinner

to consider a new DU forum focused on technology issues, rather than changing the name of this one. Two reasons: 1) A help-only (okay, not all the posts are cries for help, but most are) group is valuable; and 2) DU Groups are only accessible to starred DUers, which will limit who can discuss techno-political issues.

[jayfish]

3. The Process...

for starting a new group(unless it has changed)is a bit more than I am willing to commit to. I do like the idea of a tech issues group though.

Jay

[mainegreen]

4. So run the server in the US.

The chinese can still access it, and you've met the criteria. As far as exporrt controls, seriously, are we expecting us companies to try and manage incoming access control by country? Sure its technically feasable, but good luck implementing that law.

Seriously, someone should force legislators to take technology classes before we allow them to make tech laws.