US Technology Censors Burma Web Use

The OpenNet Initiative claims the oppressive regime of Myanmar uses technology from a California company to censor Internet usage. Although the US government has maintained sanctions on Myanmar's military regime for some time, the OpenNet Initiative claims one US firm's products have made it to the country and are in use to censor Internet usage. OpenNet says a product from Fortinet Technologies has made it to the nation formerly called Burma, and is used to filter sites. In its report, OpenNet said Fortinet's FortiGuard system has made its way to Myanmar in spite of US sanctions, and is now in use. A Fortinet spokesperson said in the New York Times that the company "does not condone doing business with US-embargoed or sanctioned countries." Like many software companies, Fortinet utilizes a model where it sells products to resellers, who then sell them to users. David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him