Job Discussion Forums

haopengyou · Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 197

Is the internet in KSA censored? If so, to what kinds of things? Would netflixs be an option? Hulu.com? Christian pages (in English)?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: A great Sand Castle Firewall?

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

The banning is getting more irritating but not to a significant degree. It's the generic photo sites that are the problem. If it's news get through it by anonymous proxies, if it's streaming video get a live satellite connection.

ganesh77 · Joined: 05 Jul 2009 Posts: 37

Expect to not be able to access a healthy handful of sites you are accustomed to accessing. Furthermore, don't try to open sites that have key words the higher-ups have explicitly flagged as unwelcome. At our place, if you type the "wrong key words" into the URL a message pops up that displays your IP address and even computer name along with the unsavory key words. You will likely find the CAPTCHA much more annoying, especially when you are prompted to enter a code every time you search for stuff.

Citizenkane · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 234 Location: Xanadu

Actually, I've been surprised more by what IS available on the internet in Saudi than what is not available. I guess it all depends on what your, umm..... 'interests' are but I have not found interent censorship to be a huge problem. There's little or no censorship of google or news sites, for example, as in China. However, as ganesh says, I would exercise caution with what I surf on work computers, but I guess this is true anywhere.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

haopengyou · Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 197

Thanks! I am not into "porn" or other things. I do want to be able to subscribe to Netflix and online versions of publications - maybe National Geographic or the Wall Street Journal. I am trying to find a way to watch the history channel and other educational programming online. Maybe a better question to ask/answer here is "what kinds of things are likely to be objectionable and blocked, or even get me into trouble?

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:09 pm Post subject:

Dear haopengyou,

The same topics that could get you into trouble were you to talk about them in class: sex, religion (any sites critical of Islam or any Israeli/Jewish sites), politics (any sites critical of the Royal Family.)
Best rule: Never "surf the Net" at work - Big Brother is probably watching.
Regards,
John

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

You are highly unlikely to find any normal site you want to access censored.

If you do use Tor or an anonymous proxy.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

one site youmay not see is the MOSAD or IDF site, specializing in either illegally bombing Osirak reactors or Isfahan centrifuges in the near future.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

Osirak, in Iraq, was bombed by the IAF back in the 80's. If we bomb it again, then we're declaring war on our own proxy!

NCTBA

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

in that case it would be UN-amazing, as we have done this thrice before!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:34 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject:

Dear eclectic,
Searching the Net all ll I can find are reports of one bombing of Osirak, done by the IAF.
Can you supply some links to reports about the other two/three bombings? And by "we" do you mean the USA?
Regards,
John

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject:

Hey, John:

I think that he was talking more about attacking a supposed fren'. The IAF didn't have to bomb it but once. Ingress over Jordan and egress over k.s.a. and Jordan. I especially liked the egress part as it gave me employment for years on the old AWACS program that saudi demanded to be sold to them after 'merican-made F-16s overflew their territory and all they could do is watch!

NCTBA