French start blocking terror websites, but first try fails
PARIS — France’s Interior Ministry says it has begun its crackdown on Internet sites glorifying terrorism by shutting down five sites — but four of the five were still functioning a day after they were said to be inoperative.
PARIS — France’s Interior Ministry says it has begun its crackdown on Internet sites glorifying terrorism by shutting down five sites — but four of the five were still functioning a day after they were said to be inoperative.
Ministry officials conceded today (March 17) that the first try at scrubbing away hundreds of sites that defend terrorism via videos or statements is still in its infancy and may not work perfectly. When it does, a red hand is to appear on the screen instead of the site, with a message saying the user has been redirected because the contents can provoke or glorify terrorism.
Screengrab from a site where visitors are redirected to a warning
As of early yestertday, no red hand appeared on any of the five sites.
Cleaning up the Internet is part of a new terrorism law. AP