5typos.net
SNAP (Socialist Network Access Provider)
Destroying my previous wishful thinking post, Cantv’s President has stated:
The upcoming installation of a single access point for all internet traffic has nothing to do with controlling or censoring network information.
It’s true that Venezuela is one of the few countries in Latin America1 that doesn’t have its own NAP (Network Access Point). This means that when visiting most web sites - even local ones - traffic goes through either La Guaira or Pto. Cabello2, to a NAP in Florida and then returns.
While there certainly is a speed and cost penalty, its magnitude is debatable. However, given Chavez recents threats against news websites and twitter, it’s no surprise that a technical discussion quickly leads to censorships concerns3.
If/when the Government makes private operators route their traffic through this new NAP, the technical elements for web censorship in Venezuela will be in place.
Initially, my main concern is not censorship, but repression. As far as I can tell, most political activities organized by university students use some sort of social network tool.
Without safe access to these tools, a non-violent movement will be difficult to organize and support.