Pakistan Cuts Access to YouTube Worldwide

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, troubled by a YouTube video that criticized Islam, took steps to shut down the popular video website in Pakistan. The authority created a dummy site, leading viewers who expected YouTube to a blank site. Such tactics are not unusual in countries that practice censorship, but Pakistan announced its substitution site to a telecommunications partner based in Hong Kong, which accepted the fake site, relaying it to internet providers around the world. “Internet service providers now had two conflicting online “roads” leading to YouTube,” writes Brad Stone for the New York Time, adding that an online protocol favored the dummy site’s longer routing address. Analysts express concern about internet security and the ability of hackers to learn from Pakistan’s mistake. YouTube straightened the error with internet providers within two hours, but also removed the video that had offended Pakistani authorities. Censorship draws attention to the video and increases vigilance among free-speech advocates. – YaleGlobal