How will GoI restrict porn access on proxy servers?

MUMBAI, INDIA: In accordance with the assurance given to the Supreme Court last month, the Government of India (GoI) has asked Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block around 850 pornographic sites.

Well the GoI has done its job! But what about the proxy servers the users will use to access these sites? In a porn hungry country (reports suggest that 40 percent of the population view porn), how will the information and communications ministry actually restrict the access to porn sites?

A proxy server is a computer that offers a computer network service to allow clients to make indirect network connections to other network services. A client connects to the proxy server, and then requests a connection, file, or other resource available on a different server.

The point is while the government can ask the ISPs to block these sites there is no dearth of proxies who can offer the service either for free or for a small fee.

A simple Google search provides not only the names of these sites, small companies that offer proxy servers, but also how to tutorials to access the content. And this is where the problem lies.

The ISPs will comply, but what will the government do to block the free flow of information on the Web? Do you have any answers Mr ICT minister?

In its review, the GoI found that certain websites were disseminating pornographic content, due to which notices had been issued to ISPs to block them under section 79 of the Information Technology Act.