These days when the government is hell-bent on screening data and information available on the Internet, there are people like Ankit Fadia, a 26-year-old ethical hacker, who want to find a clever way to “unblock everything on the Internet”.
Recently at the launch of his book How to unblock everything on the Internet, Ankit demonstrated unblocking websites, blogs, applications and content on the Internet, which are banned by various companies and institutes for various reasons.
The young IT genius strongly believes in freedom of speech and expression and hence he strongly opposes the idea of blocking websites.
He says, “We live in dynamic times and we can’t behave like a repressed society and block social-networking sites because it gives a platform to people to openly express their ideas. Information is a powerful tool and I feel everyone in a free society should have access to it.” Citing the example of China, Ankit further explains, “In China 40,000 people are currently employed to monitor and block websites. It is a waste of resource and I hope India does not go the China way.”
Ankit believes that social networking sites are really powerful assets and the onus lies on the individual to use it in the right manner. He says, “It is an individual who is liable for misusing any content on the Internet, and for that the entire website shouldn’t be blocked.”
“There are a lot of examples when social networking sites have played major role in helping people during natural calamities and spreading quick information. I really don’t understand why some colleges block social-networking sites, if a child has to waste time he will find some other way or access it through phone. So blocking sites is not the solution I feel one should educate people about not surfing objectionable stuff,” he added.