Alkasir
Encyclopedia
Alkasir is a program developed by Yemeni journalist, Walid al-Saqaf, that allows users to circumvent censorship in countries that censor internet content. The first version was released in May 2009, with the newest version containing an internal browser, added in May 2010, with updates often being released. Alkasir is free to download and to use. The word "alkasir" means circumventor in Arabic.
Alkasir is sponsored by Mideast Youth
as well as by YemenPortal.net, al-Saqaf's site created to allow Yemenis to voice dissent against the regime.
Governments around the world, most notably in China
and in the Middle East
, use censorship to block access to various websites. With the rise of social networking sites and the use of these sites to organize political movements against the repressive regimes in power, such as the Arab Spring
, Middle Eastern governments have implemented Western tools to censor the internet. Alkasir, though it does not allow access to all sites, circumvents blocks on ISPs by the government.
Alkasir's site also contains a map that tracks the use of its software to gain access to particular URLs. The more people using the software to access a particular site, such as Facebook
, the more likely it is blocked by the people's country.
Walid al-Saqaf was selected as a TED
fellow in 2010 for the development of Alkasir. He was also selected as a TED
2012 senior fellow.
Alkasir is sponsored by Mideast Youth
Mideast Youth
Mideast Youth is a regional not-for-profit organization focused on amplifying voices of dissent throughout the Middle East and North Africa via digital media. It is a forum that allows non-governmental actors in the Middle East to engage in political warfare activities against corrupt regimes...
as well as by YemenPortal.net, al-Saqaf's site created to allow Yemenis to voice dissent against the regime.
Governments around the world, most notably in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, use censorship to block access to various websites. With the rise of social networking sites and the use of these sites to organize political movements against the repressive regimes in power, such as the Arab Spring
Arab Spring
The Arab Spring , otherwise known as the Arab Awakening, is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, 18 December 2010...
, Middle Eastern governments have implemented Western tools to censor the internet. Alkasir, though it does not allow access to all sites, circumvents blocks on ISPs by the government.
Alkasir's site also contains a map that tracks the use of its software to gain access to particular URLs. The more people using the software to access a particular site, such as Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
, the more likely it is blocked by the people's country.
Walid al-Saqaf was selected as a TED
TED (conference)
TED is a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading"....
fellow in 2010 for the development of Alkasir. He was also selected as a TED
TED (conference)
TED is a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading"....
2012 senior fellow.
External links
- Alkasir
- Mideast Youth
- Yemen Portal
- Presentation of Alkasir, in How to Bypass Internet Censorship, a FLOSSFlossFloss may refer to:* Dental floss, used to clean teeth* Embroidery thread, machine or hand-spun yarn for embroidery* Fairy floss or candyfloss, alternative names for cotton candy* Rousong, i.e. meat floss-Computing:...
Manual, 10 March 2011, 240 pp.