South Africa votes against Internet freedom

South Africa votes against Internet freedom South Africa has tried to remove provisions from a United Nations resolution that would prevent countries from switching off the Internet for any reason, The Register reported. Following the passing of the resolution, freedom of expression organisation Article 19 expressed disappointment with South Africa. “Democracies like South Africa, Indonesia, and India voted in favour of these hostile amendments to weaken protections for freedom of expression online”, said Article 19. The resolution was titled “The promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet”, and was adopted when more than 70 states supported it on 1 July. A “human rights-based approach” was also included in the resolution, to provide and expand access to the Internet. South Africa was one of 15 countries that voted in favour of an amendment led by China and Russia to have this section removed. A real pity that such decisions are just taken on behalf of all South Africans and it does not look like we had any say in it at all? So this was for our own good? See http://ift.tt/29h3udl