Scieno Sitter

The program was started in the late summer of 1998. Scientologists were mailed software on CDs, and told that the program would help members build Web sites which would then link to Scientology's main site. Critics of Scientology have referred to the program as "cult mind-control for the 21st century", and asserted that it stifles freedom of speech. One software developer stated that though he thought spam filters in general were a good idea, he found it "disturbing" that "a huge number of the terms that are banned are completely unrelated to the stated goals." However, a vice president of the Office of Special Affairs branch of Scientology stated that Scientologists "make a personal choice" on whether or not to use the filtering software. A different spokesperson claimed that members of Scientology asked for the software, stating: "many of our parishioners want to use the Internet but asked for a filter protection from those elements that have sought to twist and pervert the religion." The packaging on the CD mailed to users who specifically request the filter states: ==Functionality==

In order to gain access to the software, the Scientologists must first sign a contract. Section 7 of this contract states that the members must agree to: This screening process is not limited to the viewing of Web sites, however. It also blocks users from discussing these forbidden keywords on chat programs such as Internet Relay Chat. Once these keywords are mentioned or certain individuals identified as undesirable enter the chat room, the user will be kicked off the discussion. When Tory Christman worked as an operative for OSA, other OSA operatives removed the program from her computer to allow her to analyze what critical material was being spread on the internet about Scientology. Some time after the software was removed, Christman encountered the Operation Clambake Web site and had online discussions with its operator Andreas Heldal-Lund, which eventually led to her leaving Scientology through a public announcement on Alt.religion.scientology. ==Media reports==

In December 1998, the software was discussed on the A&E Network program: Investigative Reports. The program showed a Web page from Operation Clambake which described the software in a piece entitled: "The Church of Scientology—afraid of the real world" and "CENSORS the Net for members!". Bob Minton was quoted in the report as stating: "Scientologists are given filtering software to allow them to go on the Internet, because they do not want Scientologists to be subjected to critical information." ==In film==

In the 2006 film The Bridge, the Scientologist character Diane Wheat attempts to find more information on the internet through a Google search for the word "zeenu", and is then directed to a search for the word Xenu. The Operation Clambake Web site comes up first in the search results, but when Wheat attempts to view the site, a message appears on her computer stating: "The page you have requested has been identified as containing racist/hate-oriented material," with the Scientology symbol displayed in the left-hand side of the warning box. ==See also==