Preventing people from using the Internet is inefficient: President Nazarbayev

Kazakhstan’s President believes it irrational to prevent people from using the Internet. According to him, strong “right” content can be employed by nations to counteract destructive ideas spread virally, Newskaz.ru reports, citing President Nazarbayev as saying in his recent interview for the Russia 24 Channel. “One can post online whatever flashes in his or her mind (…) It’s never possible to identify the author of some stuff. Every state should strengthen its national so called “right” content to counteract those spreading destructive ideas and to help people distinguish between the good and the evil. Preventing people from using the Internet is inefficient”, President said. According to President Nazarbayev, about 70% of Kazakhstanis are Internet surfers, with most of them being youth. “It’s quite a high percentage. We are not closing ourselves off to the Internet. The Internet brings about progress (…)”. “Certain players do try to spread and even impose their ideas on others, trying to have an impact on state policy, compelling people to protests … It’s kind of threat to the society … However, we should accept that the Internet space is free and accessible”, he said.