Blog Stage VII: Privileges of Using Computer Networks

On my way to work, while scanning through the radio channels in search of good music, I could not help but notice that several talk shows were commenting on the blocking of the Southern Baptist Convention's website by the military. Naturally, this intrigued me and I proceeded to research more about it when I got the chance.

As it was still early, there weren't many websites that covered the developing story, the few that did, seemed to gravitate their opinion towards the points of the military being evil and abusing people's rights. An army officer who had tried to access the SBC's website from within a military facility reportedly got offended when he was redirected to a warning message instead of the typical website. He apparently proceeded to inform the SBC as well as several news outlets through email about the issue. Shortly after, spokespersons for the SBC stated the action was in direct violation of the first amendment. News outlets later expanded by highlighting the story as outrageous, blasphemous and a clear act of censorship. I on the other hand couldn't disagree more.

When I want to connect to the Internet at my local coffee shop, I connect to a wireless router that is connected by wires to the Internet. At work we have many computers that connect by hundreds of meters of cable to servers that in turn connect to the Internet. Even though I can access the Internet at both of these locations, they both have something else in common. The equipment, connection and bandwidth are all paid for and maintained at the expense of each establishment. To me, it is not outrageous to think that the network owners reserve the right to restrict or otherwise modify our Internet experience while on their networks. For example, many establishments block Facebook, Reddit, Youtube and several other websites that aren't within the scope of the network's intended usage. Just like I wouldn't complain to my boss that I cannot view my friend's food pictures on Instagram, the army officer should not take it personally when he is unable to access a religious website from within the military network. If he wants to use the Internet freely, he can either try a different network or use his home network, assuming he has one, where his money has paid for an uncensored window into the Internet.

The SBC and the news outlets, both likely to have their own network infrastructures should not be so quick to complain about the military action when they themselves at the very least, probably restrict usage of certain types of entertainment websites on their networks. Furthermore, bringing the constitution into this argument is unnecessary, the document was drafted in 1787, an era when abacuses were in popular use and technology like the Internet was unimaginable.

While the Pentagon in a later statement attributed the unintentional block to an automatic protection mechanism against malware, usage of their resources on their networks is ultimately at their sole discretion.