VOA慢速英语2014 监控软件在互联网监管会议上关键问题

 

Technology Report - Surveillance Software Key Concern at Internet Governance Meeting 监控软件在互联网监管会议上关键问题

From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.

The Internet Governance Forum¹ took place last week in Istanbul, Turkey. The United Nations provided support to the yearly conference.

Delegates² expressed concern about the growth of companies selling powerful Internet surveillance software. Some software programs can collect information about individuals around the world. Many of these people are private citizens.

The surveillance software industry is worth billions of dollars. Yet some experts say making laws to govern the use of such products is proving difficult.

Gregoire Pouget is with the group Reporters Without Borders. He believes there is a need for new laws and other regulations in the industry. He says surveillance software can be used to spy on journalists, bloggers and other people who use the Internet.

Laura Tresca was the Brazilian representative of an organization called Article 19. It fights against unlawful censorship, the banning of reports or other things thought to be offensive³. Ms. Tresca said Latin America is becoming a big market for the surveillance software industry.

She said Brazil spent nearly $200 million on surveillance software products in the past four years. She notes that Brazilian officials said the technology was supposed to help protect the country during the 2014 World Cup competition. But, in her words, "this software was used to monitor activists⁴ to avoid protests."

Scott Busby is with the Department of State in Washington. He says the laws used to control the weapons industry also control the use of surveillance software.

"It's an issue of great concern to us, not only because some of the companies doing this are American companies. But I would point out that the issue is being addressed under the VASNA arrangement, for the non-proliferation of dangerous items. It formerly⁵ dealt with weapons, and now it's looking at surveillance technologies."

But experts and activists say surveillance software is very different from weapons. They say the surveillance software industry will need special laws.

Silvia Grundmann is head of media for the Council of Europe rights group. She says European businesses are among the leaders in the surveillance software industry. She adds that finding the balance between human rights, the Internet and trade takes a lot of time.

But Gregoire Pouget says countries need stronger surveillance technology laws now.

Mr. Pouget says the high cost of the software programs means only a few countries are able to buy it. But he says in only a few years, the cost of surveillance software will lower sharply⁶. When that happens, Mr. Pouget believes large companies and even wealthy individuals will buy the software. Experts worry that increased surveillance of citizens around the world will end a person's sense of privacy⁷.

And that's the VOA Learning English Technology Report. I'm Jonathan Evans.

1 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

2 delegates   

代表，代表团成员( delegate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The conference was attended by delegates from 56 countries. 此次会议有来自56个国家的代表出席。
• Delegates expressed strong opposition to the plans. 代表强烈反对这些计划。

3 offensive   

adj.令人不快的，侮辱的，攻击用的；n.进攻

参考例句：

• His mode of doing business is offensive to me.他干事情的方式叫我很不喜欢。
• If all else fails,I will take the offensive.如果其他方法不行，我将采取攻势。

4 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

6 sharply   

adj.锐利地，急速；adv.严厉地，鲜明地

参考例句：

• The plane dived sharply and rose again.飞机猛然俯冲而后又拉了起来。
• Demand for personal computers has risen sharply.对个人电脑的需求急剧增长。

7 privacy   

n.私人权利，个人自由，隐私权

参考例句：

• In such matters,privacy is impossible.在这类事情中，保密是不可能的。
• She wept in the privacy of her own room.她在自己房内暗暗落泪。