There's no place for corrupt sites

Readers have contacted Gulf News to say that the authorities should ban Orkut.com since it contains inappropriate content.

Although it is usually used as a "social networking" website to track friends and relatives, of late it is increasingly being used by users to post profiles under the "Dubai Sex" listing and there are countless indecent pictures on it.

At one time, access to it was blocked in the UAE, but after some customers appealed the decision, etisalat unblocked the site. According to our readers, Orkut.com is "not good for the people of the UAE, its culture and moral values," especially as it is "open to children".

As a newspaper we have always advocated freedom of expression - a responsible freedom that takes into account the basic social and moral values of this country. We believe that sites such as Orkut.com should be warned and even blocked if they show disregard for the community in which they operate.