Australian government to introduce Internet filter
H Ebony
SYDNEY -- Australia plans to introduce an Internet filtering system to block
obscene and crime-linked Web sites despite concerns it will curtail freedoms
and won't completely work.
Adopting a mandatory screening system would make Australia one of the
strictest Internet regulators among the world's democracies. Authoritarian
regimes commonly impose controls. China drew international criticism earlier
this year with plans to install filtering software on all PCs sold in the
country.
The government said Tuesday it will introduce legislation next year for the
filter system to help protect Australians, especially children, from harmful
material on the Internet. Critics say it will not prevent determined users
from sharing such content, and could lead to unwarranted censorship by
overzealous officials.
Communication Minister Stephen Conroy said the government would be
transparent in compiling its blacklist of Web sites, but did not give
details.
Conroy said the Australian filter was among a number of new measures aimed
at strengthening online protection for families. It aims to block material
such as child pornography, bestiality, rape and other sexual violence, along
with detailed instructions about committing crimes or using illicit drugs.
Such material is already banned from publication on Australian sites, but
the government currently has no control over it being accessed on servers
overseas.