Internet users bypass internet controls

As fast as the government blocks words, phrases, websites and servers, Chinese Internet users figure out how to share information and opinions in ways unthinkable before the Internet took off in the country. Chinese internet users are finding innovative ways to bypass internet controls. Users post images of text rather than text itself, or to substitute sensitive terms with similar-sounding characters. When Chinese censors blocked the name of Egypts former president, Hosni Mubarak, during the height of that countrys turmoil earlier this year, users substituted different characters for his name.Although China operates one of the worlds most active online censorship regimes, it has to pick its battles. Subjects are targeted with the full force of the regime, such as allegations of corruption against the families of top leaders.