China Caves, Says Green Dam Software Is Optional

Caving to public pressure, China on Tuesday said that use of its controversial Green Dam Youth Escort software is not required, though all PCs sold on the mainland will come with it pre-installed. China’s turnaround comes as public outcry over the Green Dam Web filtering software struck a nerve both inside and outside China. Last week, the Chinese government mandated that as of 1 July, all PCs sold in the country must have the Green Dam software to block pornographic and violent Web sites. The public fought back, claiming the software could also block users from viewing political content and censor other content. Some opponents also contend that the software can create security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. An official with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology who wouldn’t reveal his name told The Associated Press that the use of the Green Dam Youth Escort software is not compulsory