Mandatory Internet Filters Set to Hit Australia

AUSTRALIA - Australian Telecommunications Minister Stephen Conroy has announced plans to compel Australian Internet-service providers to implement content-filtering services.

Conroy said all Internet-service providers will be required to provide clean feeds, or ISP filtering, for homes and schools. Home-based Internet connections will automatically carry filters, and those wanting uncensored Internet access will have to opt out of filtering.

Conroy said the services will better prevent children from viewing websites featuring pornography and violence.

However, Joan Irvine, executive director of the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection, said filtering is not the job of a government or an Internet-service provider.

"A majority of the professional adult-entertainment industry is already labeling their content [and] sites as ‘adult' and using standardized international systems such as ASACP's RTA ‘Restricted to Adults' website label or [the Family Online Safety Institute's] ICRA," she said. "It is the parents' responsibility to decide which of the many family-safe surfing programs they wish to implement, not the government's or an ISP. Only the irresponsible few and the criminals don't label their sites [and] content in some manner, and no legislation will change their behavior."

 

According to Michael Bloch, who responded to Conroy's scheme at TamingTheBeast.net, some worry that those who request removal of the filter could be "marked."

 

"If I decide to opt out of this service, will that somehow mark me as a freak, racist, terrorist or worse? What type of flags will it raise?" he wrote. "The parent in me feels mandatory content filtering is a great idea, given that many parents seem totally incapable of adequately monitoring their children's Internet usage. The peacenik in me also applauds it as a way of reducing the amount of hate material being so readily accessible. But the civil libertarian in me yells, ‘Danger, Will Robinson!'"

Conroy said he stands by the program for protecting children who use the Internet.

"Labor makes no apologies to those that argue that any regulation of the Internet is like going down the Chinese road," he said. "If people equate freedom of speech with watching child pornography, then the Rudd-Labor Government is going to disagree."

He said the government will work with the industry to ensure the filters do not affect the speed of the Internet.