Protests in Algeria, Internet Shut Down

[frinkprof]

Algeria shuts down internet and Facebook as protest mounts

Internet providers were shut down and Facebook accounts deleted across Algeria on Saturday as thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators were arrested in violent street demonstrations

By Nabila Ramdani 7:25PM GMT 12 Feb 2011

Plastic bullets and tear gas were used to try and disperse large crowds in major cities and towns, with 30,000 riot police taking to the streets in Algiers alone.

There were also reports of journalists being targeted by state-sponsored thugs to stop reports of the disturbances being broadcast to the outside world.

But it was the government attack on the internet which was of particular significance to those calling for an end to President Abdelaziz Boutifleka's repressive regime.

Protesters mobilising through the internet were largely credited with bringing about revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia.

"The government doesn't want us forming crowds through the internet," said Rachid Salem, of Co-ordination for Democratic Change in Algeria..

[...]

Algeria has the eighth largest reserves of natural gas in the world, and is also oil-rich, but its youthful population suffers mass unemployment, a chronic lack of housing, and widespread poverty. Political corruption is also endemic.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...f1c2c415511f,0

[burn_this_city]

I suspect the revolutions in Algeria and Yemen will face a tougher crackdown now that these dictators have seen Tunsia and Egypt fall.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I suspect the revolutions in Algeria and Yemen will face a tougher crackdown now that these dictators have seen Tunsia and Egypt fall.

Yeah I think so too. Other countries in the region will also probably be a lot more proactive about cracking down on any signs of mobilization before they even start.

[burn_this_city]

The crackdown playbook these guys live by has definitely changed.

I'd like to know how the government is deleting facebook accounts in Algeria. Key loggers?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

The crackdown playbook these guys live by has definitely changed.

I'd like to know how the government is deleting facebook accounts in Algeria. Key loggers?

Its got to be the USA's fault....somehow.

[puckluck]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

The crackdown playbook these guys live by has definitely changed.

I'd like to know how the government is deleting facebook accounts in Algeria. Key loggers?

Hackers most likely, and I'm assuming the government has access to the best hackers.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Its got to be the USA's fault....somehow.

A company in the states probably sold them the equipment.

[Redliner]

[The Goon]

See what happens when one group of protestors gets their voice heard? Everyone wants to hop on the bandwagon.

Damn protestors.

[Resolute 14]

The internet and Facebook, eh?

[CampbellsTransgressions]

Way to be original, Algeria.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

How long until the President of Algeria is selling Monkey's Paws on the streets of Morocco?

[Cheerio]

Here we go again...

[pepper24]

Hopefully Saudi Arabia and Jordan are next!

[GGG]

It will be interesting what kind of governments are elected here, how many military's decide to keep power, if the elections are fair and finally if they are secular, kind of religious or dogmatic.

There is real risk that the end result is worse off for the world and the people in these countries. Hopefully reasonably progressive governments are elected who will hold fair regular elections but I am sure in some of these country's this will not happen.

It will be interesting to watch what happens. The results of the next 6 months will really set the next 10 years of international politics.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by pepper24

Hopefully Saudi Arabia and Jordan are next!

Iran would be interesting.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by T@T

Iran would be interesting.

Iran will be a blood bath.

They will show no patience with the protests if they happen again.

And Iran is a major rope manufacturing country, so they have plenty of nooses.

[Golden Jet]

Just as long as things don't turn out like they did in Iran. Be nice to see democratic reform & not Muslim & Taliban extremist governments.

[sergei_makarov]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Its got to be the USA's fault....somehow.

Or China... China's a good villain nowadays as well... somehow.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by sergei_makarov

Or China... China's a good villain nowadays as well... somehow.

Pft... China has nothing on Kim Jong-Il