French start blocking terror websites, but first try fails

PARIS (AP) - France's Interior Ministry says it has begun its crackdown on Internet sites glorifying terrorism by shutting down five sites - but four of the five were still functioning a day after they were said to be inoperative.

Ministry officials conceded on Monday that the first try at scrubbing away hundreds of sites that defend terrorism via videos or statements is still in its infancy and may not work perfectly. When it does, a red hand is to appear on the screen instead of the site, with a message saying the user has been redirected because the contents can provoke or glorify terrorism.

As of early Tuesday no red hand appeared on any of the five sites.

Cleaning up the Internet is part of a new terrorism law.