Jordanian Government Implements Internet Usage Law
August 19, 2010
By: Randi Zung

On August 3, the government of Jordan enacted a new cyber crimes law that establishes a legal framework for internet usage within the country.  This new legislation will now allow Jordanian authorities to regulate internet content as well as prosecute individuals who post content that is critical of the Jordanian government.  Specifically, the new law has provisions that allow the Jordanian authorities to censor dissenting or negative web content about the government.  In addition, the law also bans online content that the government considers to be immoral or pornographic.  According to Reporters Without Borders, individuals who are found guilty of violating the new law face a wide number of penalties, ranging from monetary fines to forced labor to jail sentences.  Jordanian officials claim that the new law was enacted in order to regulate online “chaos.”

On August 12, The National, a United Arab Emirates news outlet, reported that the government had blocked government employees from accessing 48 websites.  The blocked websites are said to include many local online new outlets.  According to Jordanian officials, the decision to block web content is meant to boost worker productivity.  Ali al Ayed, the minister of state for media affairs and communications, stated, “Working hours should be spent in serving the public interest.”

The United States State Department reports that the government of Jordan was found to have monitored “telephone conversations and Internet communication, read private correspondence, and engaged in surveillance without court orders of persons deemed threats to national security.”  In addition, journalists reported incidents of harassment and intimidation by government authorities.

According to current usage statistics, only 54% of Jordanian households have personal computers.  Out of that percentage, only 18% are connected to the internet.

For previous news on Jordan, please see:
http://ccd21.org/news/mena/jordan_election_boycott.html

Sources:
Reporters Without Borders - New law allows government to regulate online content

www.ccd21.org