Privacy 
Scenario Aspects
Parties Involved :
Singaporean Authorities, Mr. Goh Chee Wee, Singapore's minister of state for
communications, Singaporean Internet users,
Outside news organizations
The Relevant Facts:
Announced initiative to link the city-state's main on-line networks, Users
will be able to access all networks using a single leased line,
Hub will use a single set of national standards, Mechanism to identify users
electronically would be incorporated into the hub,
Move is part of the Information Technology 2000 master plan, Will block access
to a about a dozen banned sites
The Dilemma:
Is it right for Singapore's government to ban certain material and allow inclusion
of mechanisms to recognize users? Are they using these mechanism to track
Internet purchases, to spot criminal activity, or just to "keep tabs" on their
citizens?
The Options To Be Taken:
Singapore has the right to keep their people "in the dark" when it comes to
other styles of government. They can proceed to take measures to control the
Internet usage. Singapore is suppressing their citizens by not allowing the
information to reach their screens. It is unlawful for them to ban access
to any materials
Values Involved In Scenario:
Integrating electronic mechanisms into computers is an invasion of privacy.
Having only one gateway to the outside world is a restriction of education.
Limiting the access may result in decreased productivity at work
Primary Values and Recommendations:
Highest Priority Values: Education and Privacy The Singaporean people are
supposed to be guaranteed the right to privacy, but in practice it does not
extend much farther than the paper on which it is written. The Ministry of
Information can do whatever they want when it comes to "their" network. Many
of the citizens to not know any better, and the government suppresses their
growth further by blocking information. It is an unending cycle which is difficult
to break. Abolishing all forms of restrictions is probably not the best policy
for the country as a whole. If this were to happen, once the users gained
enough knowledge, there is a possibility of factions trying to take over the
government. This would not be the healthy way to relieve them of power. Instead,
some gradual relaxation or possibly outside intervention could help the cause.