Pakistan's Ban on Facebook

Yes it's a very controversial thing. The champions of democracy and freedom of speech are outraged. An old friend seems aggrieved that I've written a pro-ban tweet on Twitter (which I finally decided to reactivate on my cell phone). He and other ultra-liberals will undoubtedly argue that if people don't want to participate in a "drawing competition" against the Holy Prophet (PBUH), they can bloody well ignore it.

Well, I'm sorry, because for once I agree with what the government of Pakistan has done (even if it is at the hands of rogue courts).

I don't claim to be the most religious Muslim in the world (if anything, I may be closer to the other end of the spectrum) but enough is Enough. Sometimes it is important to make a statement, even if it is a symbolic one, even if people can still access Facebook on their blackberries and raspberries or even their PCs using third party software.

My claim is very simple. Would Facebook ever tolerate a user site celebrating the Holocaust (the very question I posed to my liberal friend) or allow a user group called "10 Reasons Why the Holocaust Never Happened"? Probably not, and nor should they. The Jewish people have feelings, and they will be offended (umm, also they happen to control the pursestrings of America.) But anything condemning Muslims is considered fair game. Why is this? Is it because...
a) All Muslims are Terrorists and plant car bombs in Times Square?
b) Muslims need to take a chill pill and should be more tolerant in their views?
c) Muslims frankly have no economic control over anything and it's easy to walk all over them?
d) All of the above.
e) None of the above.

Its anybody's guess but I know where I'd place my bet.

A simple examination of Facebook's terms of use (just type that into Google) reveal just how draconian the social networking site really is. If they 'find out' that you are not using your real first and last name or real date of birth, you can be banned, as many users have been (so much for your privacy or desire to appear a bit younger to the rishta aunties!) A UK MP was recently banned because Facebook didn't believe he was really an MP! (They later apologized and restored his account.) Facebook can also determine what is controversial and what is spam, whether you have too many contacts (I guess they haven't heard of 'human networkers' in Pakistan) or are way too active on other people's walls. And if I start talking of Facebook's controversial privacy policy, it would become a digression that's the subject for another blog. But what does any of this have to do with Pakistan's ban on Facebook? Simple. Facebook can ban an account if you have used a pseudonym or created a playful account for your pet fish, but offending a billion Muslims on an issue of extreme sensitivity is well - not an issue - because these Muslims need to get a life and embrace the spirit of freedom of speech.

I must confess that, at a personal level, I am not thrilled at the ban on Facebook, but I will continue to support it as long as the government of Pakistan considers it fit to maintain the ban.