banned sites

Porn sites recently came under government scrutiny and have been banned. There is a raging debate,

“Should only child porn sites be banned?

Should the government be allowed to act as moral police?”

One thing is abundantly clear. Blocking the sites in India is difficult. Where there is a will there is a way. People will find a way around the ban.

Even when I submit my writing on line, if the title contains key words like ”rape, sex or fertility” the article is blocked by something called a “filter.” Even technologically incompetent me found a way around it. I just label it “article for submission” with the date.

For years everyone downloaded music and movies illegally from torrent sites. The IP addresses were spread by word of mouth and many people had their own collection of downloaded movies and music. Recently, there was consternation all around. First people noticed that they were downloading viruses into their computers along with the music and movies. Next, the sites , (even those based in Mauritius or the Seychelles) mysteriously closed down. I heard that the propagators were arrested like the Bit Coin founder.

Shops that used to actually sell pirated music and movies went “mobile.” They no longer have a fixed location. By word of mouth and SMS, you contact a virtual shop and place your order. The movies and music are delivered with a few hours by motorbike at your doorstep.

I expect that all that will happen as a result of the ban is that the shady shops  selling “porn” cds and dvds will disappear like the websites. “Mobile operators” will replace them. Contacts, demand and supply strictly by word of mouth!