Government launches free porn filter initiative

This story has either expired or is unavailable at the moment. If you require assistance, please e-mail us at edit@zdnet.com.au and we will help track down the story for you.

• Related stories

• Alerts

Add your opinion

1. Labor will have mandatory internet filtering Anonymous -- 21/08/07

   "Under Labor's ISP filtering policy Australian Internet users will be prevented from accessing content that has been identified as prohibited by ACMA, including violent and pornographic sites," he said.
   
   At least under the Liberals its voluntary.
   
   As I understand it the Liberals provide a free PC level filter or the option of getting your ISP to filter your content for you. This should have minimum interference for users who do not require filtering.
   
   Under Labor policy everything will be filtered both slowing the systems down and censoring content for those who do not want censorship.
   
   Is this correct?

   • Reply to comment
   • Reply to story
   • Report offensive content

   1. Labor will have mandatory internet filtering Anonymous -- 23/08/07

      I really hope that Senator Coonan was taken out of context here.
      
      There would be nothing worse than Australia building its own Great Firewall. It would slow international trade with Australia down and have a chilling effect on our privacy.
      
      Countries such as Sweeden have tried to implement Government mandated internet filtering to cries for their privacy and electronic freedoms groups. The Pirate Bay and the Kopimi affair have a great deal to say about this , visit http://thepiratebay.org/blog for details of their fights with the local filtering authorities.
      
      Government providing free filtering software for its citizens that they run on their pcs (Windows, of course) is one thing. If a site is blocked the request never leaves the PC.
      
      Doing ISP filtering means the request goes over the wire to your ISPs filtering computer. The details of sites accessed can be shared with government (or third parties such as marketing firms?!?). This is totally unacceptable and must not even be considered.
      
      Senator Coonan, clarify your position on this. I (and many other Australians that value their freedom, privacy and speech) would never vote for a party that tried to take them away from us.

      • Reply to comment
      • Report offensive content

   2. Internet Filtering Howard Bailey -- 25/08/07

      I totally agree with anonymous. Parents being able to access filters to protect their kids is one thing, but adults of legal age being told what sites they can go to is another.
      
      I live in Queensland, and unlike other states we are denied access to x rated magazines such as Mayfair, a tasteful men's magazine popular in England due to our own peculiar censorship laws. At least with the internet I can access tasteful porno sites.
      
      Seems there is still a bit of communism in Labor by wanting to tell people what they can think, read, watch and do. This is enough to change my vote.

      • Reply to comment
      • Report offensive content

• Just In

• Most Popular

• Most Discussed

Reader Services

Popular Topics

Essentials