"We can't promise they [approved filters] will work all the time," Internet Industry Association (IIA) executive director Peter Coroneos told ZDNet Australia. "It's like a seat belt, no warranty comes with it but you put it on as additional protection." But if ISPs don't use the government's approved list, they are at risk of action being taken against them from the ABA, Coroneos explained.
At present the ABA will issue an Australian-based ISP with a take down notice for content it hosts that is deemed inappropriate for viewing by end users under the age of 18. If on the other hand the content is generated overseas, approved filters are notified to add the site to its list of those to block.
It's about "empowering the end user," Coroneos said. "Filters aren't required to be used and parents have the option to turn the filter off. People can still choose what they look at but are safe in the knowledge that if the ABA finds more [inappropriate] sites the filter they use will be updated."
Corneos said filters were never intended to replace adult supervision. Coroneos' comments come on the back of a fresh bout of controversy over filtering, with some industry commentators claiming at least one filter on the government's list blocks Web sites by IP addresses.
Problem is, as many sites share IP addresses, innocent sites are finding themselves blocked alongside intended sites.
Coroneos said he was aware that ISPs were inadvertently blocking others, but he said parents have the option to turn the filter off, and because users have full access to IP addresses, the filtered sites are not entirely inaccessible.
The Approved Code of Practice for ISPs -- effective as of January 1, this year -- requires service providers to supply end users with a filter from a list of 15 endorsed with Government approval. The Code will be formally reviewed within 18 months from the date of implementation and can be amended in the meantime.
Who pays?
ISPs do not have to install the filter, they simply have to ensure that one is provided and they are free to choose whether they absorb the charges or pass it on to the end user.
Three ISPs interviewed by ZDNet Australia said that the filter was provided free for a trial period, with charges being added on to the customer's bill further down the track.
"ISPs aren't making money out of this, they see it as a service to their customers," Coroneos said. " Most of them were doing it anyway to be family friendly."
