thailand plans cyber network scrutiny
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Thailand plans cyber network scrutiny

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Thailand plans cyber network scrutiny

A man is silhouetted onto an electronic screen displaying prohibited website in Bangkok, Thailand, in
Bangkok - Arab Today

Thailand aims to buy software to strengthen the military government's ability to track online networks and monitor online activity while planning a cyber law that will expand powers to pry into private communications.

The beefing up of powers over the online world come as authorities are increasingly targeting social media for violations of a law that makes it a crime to defame, insult or threaten the king, queen, heir to the throne or regent. 

The Digital Economy Ministry aims to spend 128.56 million baht ($3.8 million) on software including a "social network data analysis system" to monitor and map individuals and relationships between more than one million online users, according to a ministry document seen by Reuters.

"The software will sweep and store all data available on social media to be analysed and monitored," Teerawut Thongpak, director of the ministry's Digital Service Infrastructure Department, told Reuters.

He said the government would post a tender for the software and then consider offers.

Governments around the world buy social media monitoring products to chart relationships and networks, as well as to monitor dissidents and identify their leaders.

New York University researchers have also found various U.S. jurisdictions had spent more than $5.82 million on social media monitoring software.

Since a May 2014 coup in Thailand, the military government has arrested numerous people on suspicion of posting material on Facebook and other platforms deemed to violate the royal-insult law.

The legal watchdog group iLaw says 59 people have been found guilty over online posts since the coup.

This month, in the toughest sentence yet, a man was jailed for 35 years under the law for posts online.

The government has asked Facebook to block some 300 posts from users in Thailand this year, a sharp increase from 80 restrictions during the period from mid-2014 to the end of 2016, according to Facebook reports.

The junta is also pushing for a cyber security bill, which is expected to be put before parliament this year, despite the concern of civil society and business groups that it will give the government powers for mass surveillance.

The bill is a more intrusive measure than a recently amended Computer Crime Act, say experts, which allows authorities to censor online content but not to pry into private data.

"The bill is aimed at increasing national security, allowing the state to access data of anyone it suspects," said Bhume Bhumiratana, a cyber security expert at Thai company G-Able, which provides services to businesses.


A draft of the bill, seen by Reuters, proposes a National Cyber Security Committee, with junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha at the helm, with the broad power to command both public agencies and private businesses to help with cyber security investigations.

Other provisions give authorities power to order anyone to report for questioning or hand over information, as well as to tap all communication devices including phones and computers in "emergency cases", without court approval.

The digital ministry said Thailand had to protect itself against crime and denied the procurement of the software and the legislation were aimed at surveillance.

"This isn't about violating privacy but protecting the network," Somsak Khaosuwan, the ministry's deputy permanent secretary, told Reuters.

However, Rittee Intarawut, chief of the army's cyber center, which monitors the web for content critical of the monarchy, said the bill would help the government prosecute royal-insult offences, but law-abiding citizens need not be alarmed.

"There's nothing to fear if you have done nothing wrong," he said.

Source: Timesofoman

 

 

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

thailand plans cyber network scrutiny thailand plans cyber network scrutiny

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

thailand plans cyber network scrutiny thailand plans cyber network scrutiny

 



GMT 11:28 2017 Saturday ,15 April

President Al-Bashir's visit to Kuwait and Bahrain

GMT 07:51 2017 Sunday ,26 November

HRH Crown Prince condoles with Egyptian President

GMT 14:35 2018 Friday ,12 October

Bahrain's media history documentation hailed

GMT 11:45 2017 Friday ,29 December

10 bodies found in mass grave in Myanmar

GMT 08:44 2016 Monday ,19 December

Hopeless Afghan struggle to save boy sex slaves

GMT 15:15 2013 Friday ,05 July

I breathe freedom in Jordan

GMT 12:55 2016 Sunday ,18 December

Kerry in likely last visit with Saudi king

GMT 05:49 2017 Wednesday ,24 May

Indian police make arrests after mobs lynch 8

GMT 12:12 2017 Sunday ,19 February

More South Sudanese officials quit unity gov't

GMT 09:25 2017 Wednesday ,09 August

Ghada Abdel Raziq prefers exciting drama

GMT 15:03 2017 Saturday ,14 October

HM King congratulates French President

GMT 22:10 2017 Wednesday ,03 May

Boosting Bahraini-Czech relations discussed

GMT 12:43 2017 Thursday ,30 November

Saudi prince freed in 'billion-dollar deal'

GMT 03:55 2017 Friday ,17 November

Al-Hilal's Eduardo looking to lead from the front

GMT 03:26 2017 Saturday ,18 November

Tesla's all-electric semi truck
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday