Archive for July 3rd, 2007

How to Subvert Flickr Bans in China, Iran and More

The internet is an open environment where people can find the best and worst in life, but at the end of the day its life.  Many countries like China and Iran attempt to block access to many parts of the internet within their borders.  These countries have their reasons, which I do not agree with as is my right as a citizen of the United States. 

Is the Chinese or Iranian Government smarter than all the programmers in the world combined?

The funny thing about the internet is that you can only block parts of the internet if you are smarter than the entire world of programmers and developers.  Well, China and Iran have many resources including money, power and smart people, but they don’t control the world.

So some crafty types put together a nice little Firefox plugin for example that enables people in China and Iran and other countries to access Flickr and see pictures from all over the world, even the pictures the government does not want them to view.

Now, viewing banned internet sites and possibly pictures may very well be dangerous for your health in China or Iran, but then again remaining in the dark about what is going on in the rest of the world may also be a little dangerous.

If you are in China or Iran or any other country that bans Flickr, this plugin may help you view pictures again on Flickr.  Its a small thing, but add a lot of small things together and eventually you have a big thing. 

Link to Access Flickr! :: Firefox Add-ons