Computer users complain Orkut is still accessible

Dubai: Computer users complain that the banned website Orkut.com is still easily accessible.

The controversial site was blocked last week by Etisalat on the orders of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

The ban was imposed after Gulf News highlighted the concerns of some readers that the site contained explicit material and could be used to find sexual partners.

Following the ban, internet surfers have contacted Gulf News to complain that there are still ways to access the site.

One computer user said: "There is no point in banning Orkut.com as people are still accessing the site."

Some business users do not use the Etisalat proxy that blocks sites that contravene the religious, cultural, political and moral values of the UAE, and therefore have open internet access through their own dedicated lines.

Gulf News could access the site through a link but will not print the link as the access to the website is banned.

For those users who do go through the Etisalat proxy, there are several methods of getting round the block imposed by Etisalat, an IT professional said.

Some of these methods could be used by people with only a basic knowledge of computers, he added.

"A kid could do it. It's only a few steps and it takes two minutes. There are quite a number of people who know how to get round the block. One person tells his friend and in a matter of weeks half the country knows how to do it," he said.

However, another regular internet user said that many ways of getting around the Etisalat blocks had been discovered and dealt with.

"It's quite hard [to get around the blocks] for someone who doesn't have a good background with the internet," he said.

"There are plenty of ways to get around it, but not really for the average user. They would find it nearly impossible."

No one at Etisalat was available to give an official comment yesterday afternoon, but a staff member at the company's customer helpline said the site was still officially banned.

"This site has been blocked by the regulatory authorities," he said.

Have your say
Do you think the ban works? How can such sites be better controlled?

Thank you Gulf News for helping to block Orkut. What do you think blocking Orkut will save us from confronting sexually explicit contents which are banned in UAE? Orkut is a social web site where old friends can be in touch with each other. I am a regular user of Orkut and am suffering like anything because of the block. We have a saying "To drive away a rat there is no need to burn the house"
Karthik
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 10:37

The role Gulf News has played in blocking access to Orkut is deplorable. Instead of championing freedom of expression, the newspaper has championed censorship. Everything on the Internet can be abused - why doesnt Gulf News call on the TRA to ban the Internet (of course, based on the "concerns of some readers")?
Nahla
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 10:09

This whole thing is a joke! I'm an Orkut user and have now shifted to Facebook. Gulf News is being really silly and backward in highlighting a non-issue! The government should ensure there are proper systems in place to stream content rather than block the whole thing. Shows that they probably do not know how to.
KU
Dubai,India
Posted: July 10, 2007, 09:48

I strongly feel the same action to be taken in regard to all websites holding obscenes and issues related to the subject. It's against the culture and mainly its against the human principles.
Gayathry
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 09:46

Bans are useless. Today it is Orkut.com. Tomorrow some other website. Banning only helps the website become more interesting.
Mithat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 09:10

Is Gulf News trying to do some kind of publicity stunt with this whole orkut issue?
Kavitha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 08:58

I think people are unnecessarily making Orkut a reason to hide the fact they have not been able to spend time with their kids and tell them what is good and what is bad. I believe it should be left to an individual to decide what is right for him and what is wrong. Parents should responsibility rather than complain about a site that helps millions of people get in touch with relatives and friends.
Xena
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 08:36

Honestly, you guys should stop this childish thing about blocking websites. I am so surprised that a seemingly serious institutions such as the Gulf News lent itself to publishing this complaints about Orkut.Orkut and most other means of communications nowadays are potential resources to find sexual partners or sexual images or contents, get this! this is the real world my friends!The fact that you as the newspaper were the ones to cause the blockage of another means of communication is embarrasing and I should say unethical.Next time, think twice before publishing this type of news. With all due respect.
James
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 08:35

My friend, who studies at American University in Dubai (AUD), has complete access to not only Orkut.com but all blocked sites!!! What is Etisalat trying to prove here?
Ahsan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 08:07

We use Orkut to get in touch with our communities, old school pals, college friends and many more. Technology can be used in both positive and negative ways. It is up to you how you want to use it.
AD
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 07:40

Etisalat is fighting a loosing battle to "purify" internet content. Other countries in the region have full access to online material and this did not have any negative effect on users.
Mahmoud
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 07:37

Sites like Orkut, Netlog, hi5 have good and bad sides. How we use these sites to our benefit is up to us.
Waqas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 07:22

People from all age groups surf net. Almost every one aspires to sneak into blocked sites. If there are back-door access available, then users will find it.
Mustafa
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 07:20

Their decision was solely on Media Reports, which means there isn't any "system" at Etisalat for such bans.
Karkain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 07:11

Please leave Orkut alone. It has been serving its purpose. If some miscreants are using this site for illegal purposes, why not block their account, instead of blocking the entire site?
Sanjai
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 07:09

I think Gulf News will next be recommending to ban cars in UAE roads as considerable amount of them are causing accidents.
hafeez
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 06:52

Guys....try and do something productive rather than sit around and find ways to find fault with Etisalat or anyone else. Please get a life.
Sarith
dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 06:48

I think that banning a social networking website because a few people have misused its purpose is absolutely nonsense. Why not ask Google to remove such group pages instead?
Dina
Michigan,USA
Posted: July 10, 2007, 03:44

As adults we have the choice between good and bad. I am more concerned about the influence of TV (the so-called family programming) on children rather than the internet, which I can control as long as they are at home.
Abdul
Chicago,USA
Posted: July 10, 2007, 03:24

I found a lot of old mates from school and relatives that I lost touch with thanks to Orkut. It was a blessing for me to meet my old time buddies and some close relatives. If there links to sexually explicit material out there, these individual pages could be blocked instead of blocking the entire website. Visiting a website is an individual choice. If you do not like to access such a site, then please do not go in there looking for trouble.
Sanjeev
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 02:33

Why don't Gulf News leave this matter and focus on more important issues. People should choose themselve which site they want to visit and how they want to meet other people.
Ardavan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 02:11

Orkut.com is a place to meet new friends and since it is blocked, I am now unable to connect with my friends.
AA
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2007, 01:45