Mandatory Internet Filters
With the increasing amount of access to the internet including online discussion groups, eg online communities, chat rooms, discussion groups, etc. there is now concern about how much easier it could be to gain access to pornography or other ‘dangerous’ sites for all internet users. The Federal government has plans to introduce mandatory internet filters that would aim to block child pornography sites and other ‘black listed’ sites that are considered inappropriate. This promise was made by the Rudd Labor government during the election and although promised to start in December last year, it has still not yet been trialled.
The proposal is to force ISP’s to implement these filters into the core of their networks. The controversial part of this proposal comes from the intrusion on the adult’s right to determine what they can view and read for themselves. There is increasing opposition to the proposal from various groups including the Greens and the advocacy group GetUp who are running a campaign against its introduction.
This is a broadcast from 29 January 2009 on ABC Radio National in their Life Matters segment about the proposed introduction - the interview titled ‘Mandatory Internet Filter‘ is chaired by Richard Aedy. He interviews Jim Wallace who is the Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby, a group that strongly support Internet filters, and Mark Newton (IT Network Engineer) about their thoughts on this promise
It is an interesting discussion about their opposing views on the merits of this proposal highlighting what it can block or identify and maybe what it cannot control eg peer-to-peer file sharing, etc.
Filed under: EMT and tagged computers, emt1, filters, internet
I must say I disagree particularly strongly with the proposed mandatory internet filtering. Most importantly, it’s such a huge invasion of people’s freedoms. It’s said that the benefits (e.g. stopping child pornography) outweigh the breach of said freedoms, but I disagree. Many legitimate websites including businesses will be blacklisted by the filter – and this has already been seen in the leaked blacklist that appeared in March. (http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/296161/australia_web_blacklist_leaked?fp=16&fpid=1)
And I mean…ultimately…people are going to find a way to get around this. They always do. Look at the history of illegal file sharing. You shut down one method, and six more spring up somewhere else. It’s going to be the same with the filters I think – people won’t stand for it. That said I think we’ll also see some really good, innovative solutions come out of it, if it does go to pass. Though with the number of major ISPs refusing to participate in trials, who knows.
Thanks for posting this one – it’s a good topic for freedom/disclosure.
a provocative topic if ever there were one! It’s interesting to see some of the debates happening around it. Personally, I am opposed to the filter, but I am interested in the other perspective. There are always many sides to the story.