According to Reuters, Beijing has just mandated that all PCs sold after July 1st must come equipped with Green Dam, an Internet content filter. In using Green Dam, Chinese officials hope to filter out any harmful or morally offensive images from the Chinese public. Unfortunately, the first test runs of Green Dam proved only half successful.

Although the filter did remove pornographic images, Green Dam also unsuccessfully registered pieces of pork, Garfield's fur, and even Johnny Depp as immoral images. As of right now, Green Dam is still in its development stages.

The greater issue with Green Dam is its "blanket" approach to content filtering. The software actively chooses to block out any material regarding "gay" activities. In addition to blocking out porn, Green Dam may also see HIV/AIDS programs and other queer outreach efforts as improper. Considering that China does not criminalise homosexuality, Green Dam will pose a threat to queer activist efforts.