Internet Politics in Thailand after the 2006 Coup
103
matter how futile and ultraconservative l è se-majest é fi ltering may appear to some
liberal people, there are those who support it and even participate in monitoring Web
sites and reporting l è se-majest é to authorities. Statistics released by the MICT show
that the greatest number of complaints received on Internet content had to do with
l è se-majest é .
44
Reaction from Civil Society and Mechanisms for Addressing Internet Filtering
In response to Internet fi ltering issues, members of civil society have reacted in a
number of ways and used varying strategies to deal with new regulatory constraints.
Members of civil society also contest what they conceive to be the government ’ s abuse
of power and violation of free speech online.
Online Security Caution
According to interviews with selected civil society activists, tightening up security in
their online use seems to be the top strategy in coping with authorities ’ censorship
and surveillance. This approach was manifested most frequently in their technological
choice. For instance, a few Internet advocacy activists said they deliberately gave up
the more popular Windows platform and opted instead for Linux as an operating
system. Some also chose to disable the conversation-recording feature of Gtalk and
turn on the secure access feature (SSL) in Gmail. The majority are very cautious about
their passwords. Not only do they keep their passwords as their most confi dential
information, but they also change passwords frequently. Their choice of password is
also crucial. One online activist said he avoided words in the dictionary and used
multiple layers of password protection. In using social media like Facebook or Twitter,
a few activists noted that they exercise more caution in accepting friends or in setting
the circle to which their personal information will be accessible. Similarly, in using
online discussion forums, these activists are careful in posting comments and in registering their personal information to the Web sites. Usually, they do not give anything
beyond their e-mail address to avoid being identifi ed.
Evasion and Circumvention
When it comes to Web censorship, a number of users wishing to access blocked Internet content can fi nd easy ways around it by using proxy or VPN or using Google
translate or Google cache. But with Web 2.0 applications and social media, things are
a bit more complicated to get around. At this level, OSPs that rent out server space to
a large number of Web site developers and operators of social media platforms are
becoming increasingly important as intermediary censors for online content. Ethan
103
matter how futile and ultraconservative l è se-majest é fi ltering may appear to some
liberal people, there are those who support it and even participate in monitoring Web
sites and reporting l è se-majest é to authorities. Statistics released by the MICT show
that the greatest number of complaints received on Internet content had to do with
l è se-majest é .
44
Reaction from Civil Society and Mechanisms for Addressing Internet Filtering
In response to Internet fi ltering issues, members of civil society have reacted in a
number of ways and used varying strategies to deal with new regulatory constraints.
Members of civil society also contest what they conceive to be the government ’ s abuse
of power and violation of free speech online.
Online Security Caution
According to interviews with selected civil society activists, tightening up security in
their online use seems to be the top strategy in coping with authorities ’ censorship
and surveillance. This approach was manifested most frequently in their technological
choice. For instance, a few Internet advocacy activists said they deliberately gave up
the more popular Windows platform and opted instead for Linux as an operating
system. Some also chose to disable the conversation-recording feature of Gtalk and
turn on the secure access feature (SSL) in Gmail. The majority are very cautious about
their passwords. Not only do they keep their passwords as their most confi dential
information, but they also change passwords frequently. Their choice of password is
also crucial. One online activist said he avoided words in the dictionary and used
multiple layers of password protection. In using social media like Facebook or Twitter,
a few activists noted that they exercise more caution in accepting friends or in setting
the circle to which their personal information will be accessible. Similarly, in using
online discussion forums, these activists are careful in posting comments and in registering their personal information to the Web sites. Usually, they do not give anything
beyond their e-mail address to avoid being identifi ed.
Evasion and Circumvention
When it comes to Web censorship, a number of users wishing to access blocked Internet content can fi nd easy ways around it by using proxy or VPN or using Google
translate or Google cache. But with Web 2.0 applications and social media, things are
a bit more complicated to get around. At this level, OSPs that rent out server space to
a large number of Web site developers and operators of social media platforms are
becoming increasingly important as intermediary censors for online content. Ethan