for-profit or otherwise, to open an Internet cafe ´. Should an organization manage to
acquire a dial-up account, it would be presented with a contract obligating it to use
the account solely for private personal use and not to share it with anyone. Those in
breach of the rules are sanctioned.
In order to receive Internet access, users must register with TurkmenTelecom by submitting a declaration and their passport. In addition, TurkmenTelecom warns users on
its Web site that the Internet is not a ‘‘place for unconsidered behavior.’’ Accordingly,
users have to refrain from undertaking a wide array of broadly defined activities when
they are online—for example, posting materials containing foul language, showing
‘‘inappropriate behavior’’ online, posting information that conflicts with the standard
norms of behavior and legislation, and uploading pornographic materials. 14 The contract signed by the operator and user contains even more restrictions, such as a ban
on accessing Web sites that contain violent content and Web sites that disseminate
‘‘untruthful and defamatory information’’ (a definition that includes opposition Web
sites). If, after a warning, a user insists on accessing forbidden Web sites, the operator
shuts down his or her Internet service. Users are liable for any actions that might cause
damage to the government or ‘‘anyone else.’’
Foreign aid organizations and expensive hotels continue to provide Internet access,
though there is consensus among users that the speed of connections provided by
TurkmenTelecom has declined over the last two years. These organizations and hotels,
as a self-imposed measure, filter some opposition and freedom-of-expression Web sites.
They defend such policies as necessary in order for them to continue providing Internet services. Their activities, as well as those of their patrons, continue to be monitored
by the authorities.
Similar self-censorship behavior has been observed in schools. After Niyazov’s death,
the new president promised to install Internet access in every school and demanded
that no new school or kindergarten be opened without Internet access. 15 This massive
state computerization program led to the purchase of thousands of computers for the
country’s schools. However, lack of training in ICT among teachers and remaining
fears among administrators that access to the Internet may lead to repression have left
many of the computer rooms locked.
The results of the computerization program have been far more modest than the
rhetoric behind it, and the country has largely failed to implement policies guaranteeing free and accessible Internet. The president legalized Internet cafe ´s in 2007, but they
continue to number only a few, are not advanced technologically, and are closely
monitored by the state security service. 16 Since February 2007, 15 TurkmenTelecomoperated Internet cafe ´s have been opened in the country’s six largest cities. 17 Their
hours of operation were limited to normal government business hours, and the
price in 2007 was set at about USD 4 per hour (at this time the average salary in
Turkmenistan was less than USD 100 a month). 18 All Internet cafe ´ users are required
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Turkmenistan
acquire a dial-up account, it would be presented with a contract obligating it to use
the account solely for private personal use and not to share it with anyone. Those in
breach of the rules are sanctioned.
In order to receive Internet access, users must register with TurkmenTelecom by submitting a declaration and their passport. In addition, TurkmenTelecom warns users on
its Web site that the Internet is not a ‘‘place for unconsidered behavior.’’ Accordingly,
users have to refrain from undertaking a wide array of broadly defined activities when
they are online—for example, posting materials containing foul language, showing
‘‘inappropriate behavior’’ online, posting information that conflicts with the standard
norms of behavior and legislation, and uploading pornographic materials. 14 The contract signed by the operator and user contains even more restrictions, such as a ban
on accessing Web sites that contain violent content and Web sites that disseminate
‘‘untruthful and defamatory information’’ (a definition that includes opposition Web
sites). If, after a warning, a user insists on accessing forbidden Web sites, the operator
shuts down his or her Internet service. Users are liable for any actions that might cause
damage to the government or ‘‘anyone else.’’
Foreign aid organizations and expensive hotels continue to provide Internet access,
though there is consensus among users that the speed of connections provided by
TurkmenTelecom has declined over the last two years. These organizations and hotels,
as a self-imposed measure, filter some opposition and freedom-of-expression Web sites.
They defend such policies as necessary in order for them to continue providing Internet services. Their activities, as well as those of their patrons, continue to be monitored
by the authorities.
Similar self-censorship behavior has been observed in schools. After Niyazov’s death,
the new president promised to install Internet access in every school and demanded
that no new school or kindergarten be opened without Internet access. 15 This massive
state computerization program led to the purchase of thousands of computers for the
country’s schools. However, lack of training in ICT among teachers and remaining
fears among administrators that access to the Internet may lead to repression have left
many of the computer rooms locked.
The results of the computerization program have been far more modest than the
rhetoric behind it, and the country has largely failed to implement policies guaranteeing free and accessible Internet. The president legalized Internet cafe ´s in 2007, but they
continue to number only a few, are not advanced technologically, and are closely
monitored by the state security service. 16 Since February 2007, 15 TurkmenTelecomoperated Internet cafe ´s have been opened in the country’s six largest cities. 17 Their
hours of operation were limited to normal government business hours, and the
price in 2007 was set at about USD 4 per hour (at this time the average salary in
Turkmenistan was less than USD 100 a month). 18 All Internet cafe ´ users are required
240
Turkmenistan