ziggynation
Hi everyone, new here, found this site by mistake.
i don't know if there are people here who can help me out with something.
i am planning on opening a website which is only a page long, pretty simple concept. This website will have only content uploaded on it once or twice a week. But my problem is that the content of this site is on a fine line between legal and illegal in Middle-Eastern countries (not porn :P). I know that tracing IP addresses is fairly easy but is it common to take down and trace a site which is ".com" and not ".com.lb". I mean do they have jurisdiction over what content can a site have which is based in Lebanon?
Is there even a rule book for online laws here in Lebanon?
I would be grateful for any ideas or warnings you guys can give me. Thanks in advance.
elzalem
few tips for your privacy:
1- when buying the domain, sign up for some extra privacy options that will keep u out of the whois database
2- when choosing the hosting, make sure you read their terms of service, and make sure your content won't break their rules. (try to find hosting in some eastern european countries since they are more flexible) (check where wikileaks is hosted:P)
3.1- there used to be internet cards that you buy from LibanPost and that you can use them online to purchase, i don't know if they're still available. use these if possible for all your transactions
3.2- if you have a friend that doesn't live in Lebanon, ask him to pay for everything and send him the cash later...
4- when accessing the site to upload new content, try to do that from either: a net cafe, a resto with free wifi or VPN/ssh to a remote server and work from there
it is possible to take down ur site, the authorities will force all ISPs to block ur domain name from their DNS servers or proxies. (people using anonymous proxies or alternative DNS (opendns) will still be able to visit ur site)
BashLogic
Law is applied based on where the site/server/data is hosted.
jadf24
Is there an international law that governs the internet? Or are laws dependent on the country in which the host servers are located? and should the hosts abide by the laws of that country?
Any specific details on laws in lebanon?
elzalem
there is no international law that governs the internet. Like BashLogic said: Law is applied based on where the site/server/data is hosted.
The hosts, just like any other company or person, must abide by the laws of their country.
No specific laws for the internet in Lebanon, AFAIK.
Now even if ur server is in Europe, and even if you are not breaking any European law by submitting content on ur site, if you are a resident of Lebanon you must abide by the Lebanese Law
rolf
I think that if you carefully choose your hosting provider (especially regarding the country in which it is based) and keep hiding your real identity (easier said then done), you should be able to publish these things, as long as they are Legal in the country that hosts your website. Governments might also attempt to contact your hosting provider and have him take down your website, but in this case the reaction depends on your hosting provider.
If the content is really bad you an international mandate might be issued against it, but I don't think you're talking about that kind of content.
(PS: I don't have experience on that matter)
jsaade
PS: if the content envolves a national law, the country (ie: Lebanon) can demand the host detailed information and the Host is obliged to do so.
