China's Green Dam | Sprung a "Leak", Not So Fast

The controversial Green Dam Youth Escort web filter ran into a few problems early this month. The Chinese government planned to require that the software be installed or packaged on all new computers starting July 1st. Considering there are over 300 million computer users in China, the mandate would no doubt be a hot topic with no shortage of obstacles to overcome.

It seems plans changed on the July 1st deadline, resulting in celebrations being held in China over its apparent demise. The software would essentially filter out "inappropriate" websites and content of the pornographic nature. Yet many who appose the plan claim that political content and other forms of free speech and expression would also be targeted.

Oh how things change in just a day. Despite protests from Chinese citizens, computer manufacturers and internet companies its been reported that the Green Dam project may in fact be back on track.

While celebrations were underway in response to its apparent demise on Wednesday, skeptics still remained. Their hunch turned out to be correct after officials made it clear that it was only a minor bump in the road, not a complete halt.

"The government will definitely carry on the directive on Green Dam. It's just a matter of time," said an unidentified Chinese official.

Computer manufacturers spoke up prior to the July 1st deadline in opposition to the plan. Many of the companies which would be affected the most by the new requirements may not have not been ready. Hope for a change of heart from the Chinese Government might have been the main reason for the delay.

Despite the delay, several major companies have opted to include the software on all of their new computers, with our without a government mandate. More than likely a business response by the manufacturers. The Chinese government has invested quite a bit of money into the project, and they will no doubt keep pushing until Green Dam becomes a permanent fixture within the increasing PC and Internet market in China.