ACMA censors, Australians protest

Despite premature celebrations or wishful thinking that the Government are looking for an exit strategy, the Government is powering ahead with its plans to censor Australia’s Internet. On Sunday’s edition of Background Briefing on radio national – an excellent and in-depth look at the scheme, available here for download – the Minister could be heard […]

Net censorship already having a chilling effect

Before the Government’s mandatory filter is even in place, the potential chilling effect of even the current net censorship regime was felt today when Whirlpool’s hosting provider received a take-down notice from ACMA because of a page that links to a another site on the current ACMA blacklist. Given the steep penalties, up to $11,000 […]

Putting the filtering cart before the horse

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy announced last week that government’s pilot of ISP-level internet filtering is about to go ahead,  with six ISPs named in the first phase of the trial. The Senator has for months refused to answer any questions or criticisms about the plan, citing this pilot as evidence that all concerns are being […]

Cyber-libertarians love their children too

“Safer Internet Day” has come and gone, and the Government’s trial of mandatory filtering has finally been announced, with six small ISPs participating. The trial, with poor results practically inevitable, will do little to dampen discussion about this policy. The stated rationale for the new filtering regime, to protect children, has ensured the debate remains […]