More shortcomings to Australia's Internet Censorship

[netfleet]

The Rudd Government's internet censorship policy will cost about $90,000 per blocked web address to implement and the Government has admitted it has not developed any criteria to determine whether trials of the scheme are a success.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/technolog...708489312.html

[HarveyJ]

We're setting up a VPN service over my way for aussie affiliates to start promoting.
The smart domainer might want to consider using us as a parking service for similarly related domains when it's up and running

[south]

I had no idea there was gubment internet censorship in Australia. What are their goals?

[Meridian66]

Originally Posted by south

I had no idea there was gubment internet censorship in Australia. What are their goals?

"To protect the children", and to appease a particular extremist Christian pressure group.

[tattoos]

Originally Posted by netfleet

http://www.smh.com.au/news/technolog...708489312.html

"Sites added to the blacklist in error were also classified as RC, such as one containing PG-rated photographs by Bill Henson.

Senator Conroy's spokesman, Tim Marshall, did not respond to a request for comment."

They have been made aware since the announcement of this filter that it's a deeply flawed system.
But they continue on.

Wonder if they will provide a reconsideration request form for those who "accidentally" get added to the "secret" list!

Ahhh, Governments and their hidden agendas. Don't ya just love em!

God bless em all

Cheers
James

[ecomindia]

Censorship is like watching your kid grow in a closed room! It has never been a solution for any resolution.

West (Mostly Democracy) has always criticised countries like China, Iran (mostly communist) for putting a watch and blocking sites etc.

Maybe, as Scott mentioned , extreme Christian group can be the reasons (Racial attacks on India & Chinese students at an all time high this year) ///
God Bless !

[HarveyJ]

We don't have censored internet usage yet, but there's a good chance it will come in.
For the most part, the only thing currently being censored (supposedly) is stuff that is illegal to access in the first place, and a few mistakenly attributed sites.

Problem of course is that because the country's been under a shit government for some time, most voters leapt for a change of government this time around, and didn't actually bother to read policies that were actually published on websites and in brochures.

Fiscally speaking though, they seem to be doing decently. We're the only Western economy that isn't in recession at the moment, and whilst the economy is down here like it is everywhere, most people that didn't work in finance haven't lost jobs. Even our car manufacturing plants are still on operation, and we have subsidized education and medical care for every citizen.

[ecomindia]

Well said Harvey, Yes, Australia is least affected by the economy black hole although affect is global. Government do try to get the policies passed by seeking majority as a bill in the parliament mostly.

Implementing such a policy will be difficult and challenging not only in terms of cost, but keeping in mind Australia consititues among the top % of forgien students and workers.

Too muc dependng on technology will put risk on the Internet Freedom as well as it might be like "My Data is Under Watch Always" and Privacy Policies will also has to be reviewed at End-user level to 3rd party as well.

[DTalk]

It sucks. Thin edge of the wedge.

This is classic 'nanny' state stuff....'Government knows best what's good for you'...

Apart from practical things, like universal filters slowing net access down across the board, and, the inevitable 'mistakes' as perfectly legitimate sites/businesses get unintentionally blacklisted etc, the whole principle of Government overseeing the individual's choices is inappropriate for a free society, imo....

If there are undesirable elements on the web that kids need to be protected from, then, that's the job of the family & parents, not for a ham-fisted, one-size-fits-all Govt dictat....

...Give every parent 'net nanny' software - Or massively ramp up education on the subject....or, whatever...

But, over-arching Govt censorship? No way....

.

[Bionic]

It's only terrorist recruiting and bomb making sites and other crap you don't want,
the black list was leaked only 1000 sites. TVs are censored.

[HarveyJ]

Originally Posted by DTalk

...Give every parent 'net nanny' software - Or massively ramp up education on the subject....or, whatever...

Howard tried that.
Don't you remember the story about the 14 year old kid that by passed in in under 10 minutes of finding out his parents had installed it, and then went on to be on pretty much every soft news show in the country for a week?

Apparently he ended up getting a job (read: PR stunt) with a tech security company.

[VirtualT]

Originally Posted by Bionic

and other crap you don't want,

What right do you think you have to tell me what I do or do not want?

Just because you don't want something doesn't mean that someone else mightn't have a legitimate use for that information, what a small minded statement you make.

[Bionic]

Benson once said, the role of the government is to do for the people what
they can't do for themselves. You might want that info, hell it's fun, but if
you think violent porn and the rest of the obvious crap doesn't harm your
mind and morals you're being naive. We'll be a society of pirates. The fact
governments even made this list should clue you in how controlling they are,
they're just waiting until they're sure they can succeed. China set the benchmark
and others will follow.

[VirtualT]

Originally Posted by Bionic

Benson once said, the role of the government is to do for the people what
they can't do for themselves. You might want that info, hell it's fun, but if
you think violent porn and the rest of the obvious crap doesn't harm your
mind and morals you're being naive. We'll be a society of pirates. The fact
governments even made this list should clue you in how controlling they are,
they're just waiting until they're sure they can succeed. China set the benchmark
and others will follow.

if you think "violent porn and the rest of the obvious crap" will be the only things blacklisted your the one who's naive, it may start off that way.

[Bionic]

Originally Posted by VirtualT

if you think "violent porn and the rest of the obvious crap" will be the only things blacklisted your the one who's naive, it may start off that way.

If they overdo it people will resort to file sharing. That may keep them in check.

[south]

Originally Posted by Bionic

If they overdo it people will resort to file sharing. That may keep them in check.

Unlikely. Give them an inch, they'll take a mile. Don't even let them get their foot in the door. It may be well intentioned, but government has a way of getting out of control just a little at a time.

[DTalk]

Yep....Thin edge of the wedge...


...Never known a Govt to have a power - and, for the use of that power NOT to be expanded, over time, and often misused...We allow this at our peril.

.

[damitssam]

I remember picking up an expired name on this list. After experimenting with the keyword porn, i changed it to internet censorship. Cha CHinggg! Thank you ossie government.

[netfleet]

Originally Posted by damitssam

I remember picking up an expired name on this list. After experimenting with the keyword porn, i changed it to internet censorship. Cha CHinggg! Thank you ossie government.

One of the domains on the black list? - well done that's a great response!

The thing is, all the really bad stuff that no one would defend (child porn etc) is all communicated through file sharing anyway. When was the last time you came across a child porn website?