This blog has been censored – in Bognor Regis

Actually, this could soon happen to your latest Tweet. That’s because Twitter has just announced micro-censorship. Rather than giving you a blanket ban, they’ll now be able to selectively wipe you out in certain countries. Their announcement talks of “defending and respecting each user’s voice”, but surely that involves subjective judgement? Who will deign what the good folk in Kazakhstan will be offended by? Or whether people in Tazmania will be traumatised by Frankie Boyle’s latest outburst? It’s a tricky one, to say the least. Isn’t it a little pointless too? If they do it before the Tweet is out there, it’s censorship and if they do it after, the horse has already bolted. And, if they do it to appease government, isn’t it all a bit 1984? It’s wrapped up with noble sentiments like ‘respect’, but Twitter will have a very fine line to tread. Let’s hope it’s not simply a crass business decision to make inroads into China…