Promoting And Protecting Digital Rights Since 1994
EFA is an independent non-profit association that relies on membership subscriptions and donations. If you’re concerned about digital rights in Australia, please join or donate today.
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Filtering – a feel-good but do-nothing policy
The government’s announcement yesterday that it would press ahead with its mandatory ISP filtering scheme is as unsurprising as it is disappointing. Many people with concerns about the plan had hoped that the Minister would finally get some good advice, get distracted with other things, or otherwise come to his senses and take a face-saving out. Sadly for Australia that was not to be. Yesterday, the Minister released the report…
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Net censorship trial report brings more questions than answers
Electronic Frontiers Australia today welcomed the release of the Government’s Internet filtering report but predicted that the debate is far from over. “There are few surprises in this document,” said EFA spokesperson Colin Jacobs. “Given the pilot’s modest goals, it was designed from the beginning to pass. Although it may address some technical issues, what it leaves out is far more important – exactly what will be blocked, who will…
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Games Classification discussion paper finally released
The Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department has finally released the public consultation paper on the R18+ classification of computer games. This marks the next stage in the campaign for an R18+ rating. We will be working with AusGamers to prepare a submission that accurately and persuasively addresses the civil liberties concerns of Australian gamers. If you think you can help, please join our discussion list or contact me with suggestions.
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Broadband future conference and local events
Starting Thursday 10 December, the Department of Broadband, Communications, and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) will be holding a two day conference on the future of broadband policy in Australia. A number of local forums are being run in conjunction with the Sydney-based event. Check them out in the following locations: Parramatta Melbourne Brisbane The main conference and each of the local events seem quite interesting, and we encourage anyone interested…
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Joel Tenenbaum and the $25,000 songs
I spoke on Sunrise this morning about Joel Tenenbaum’s case in the US; a young university student who will now pay around three quarters of a million Australian dollars in damages to four record labels after a judge upheld a jury decision that could’ve maxed out at $4.5m USD. Joel’s case is terrifying, only the second person in the United States to stand up to the record labels’ campaign of…
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Treat us like adults: rally for an R18+ rating, Brisbane
This weekend I attended and spoke at a rally organised by Ethan Watson in favour of the introduction of an R18+ rating for computer games. Many thanks to Ethan for organising the event, and thanks to the 50 or so people who turned up to show their support. Photos courtesy of Andrew Wade. You can view video of the event filmed by Julian on youtube: Part One; Part Two; Part…
Help fight for our digital rights
What We Do
Policy
We actively monitor a number of policy areas and specific issues. The topics below provide a detailed view of EFA’s policy positions.
Copyright
Australia’s copyright laws are outdated, inflexible and not fit for the digital age. As such, EFA is a long-standing supporter of reform of Australia’s Copyright Act.
Privacy & Security
Privacy is fundamentally about consent and control over access to information, and goes hand-in-hand with security. Privacy is a human right.
Censorship
Adults should be able to make their own informed decisions about what content they create and consume.
Encryption
Access to encryption technologies is vital for individuals and groups to be able to safeguard the security and privacy of their information.
Internet Safety
Surveillance is not safety. Safety for whom, against what? This complex problem is more likely to be exacerbated, rather than solved, by measures that allow for unaccountable surveillance and the undermining of communications security.
Surveillance
EFA is committed to ensuring that Australian’s home life is not subject to arbitrary interference.