HTTP Error Code 451 proposed for censored web pages

Posted on Monday, June 18 2012 @ 14:20 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck

Tim Bray, co-inventor of XML and Android Developer Advocate at Google, has submitted a proposal to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to create a new HTTP error code to warn web users that the page they're looking for has been censored by authorities:

Tim Bray, who co-invented XML and works as Android Developer Advocate at Google, is submitting a proposal that pages censored by someone other than the owner of the site or of the user's local network display the error code "451 Unavailable for Legal Reasons."

The number in the code is a reference to Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451," which describes a dystopian future in which book burnings and the censorship of unacceptable material is routine. Google already highlights search terms that may return censored results, in some countries.

Further details at PC World

About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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