Please sir, can I have some porn? REDUX
When it was first talked about over a year and a half ago, I blogged about it and it caused major division between the readers of this blog.
Now, as Duncan Riley reports on both TechCrunch and his personal blog Telecommunications Minister Stephen Conroy has announced that there will be mandatory filtering on all content going through Australian ISPs.
And as Duncan correctly points out, the worst of it is that it’s an opt-out process. In other words, if you want to have the filters removed, you’ll need to explain why. Jeez, I wonder if ones porn fetish, gun enthusiasm and penchant for R rated games will get them on a list somewhere? A very very sad day indeed.
Once again, Australian government, thank you for deciding what’s right for me and my family!
For the time being, I’m going to adopt Monty’s enthusiasm (in the techcrunch comments) “I have complete faith in the Australian public service completely buggering up the implementation of this supposed system”
-dg
Yeah, Yes, Yep. A shagged up attempt to try and implement censorship. Although, the fact that it was formally announced today (a dead news day, really is anyone paying attention?), is an indication that Monty is right. They will balls the whole thing up, no doubt about that.
And as for Mr. Moral Values, Stephen Conroy. What are his IT/telecommunications credentials anyway? The guy has no idea when it comes to technology. As if he thinks he can build a system to filter out what he doesn’t want others to know he likes anyway.
The Chinese have been trying to filter for years, and they are still unable to stop it through even something as simple as a offshore proxy! What are the Australian governments chances????
Michael, I agree completely, as I did last time around. But I doubt this will ever be implemented properly. As I say in my latest post, it just won’t work.
I am very worried about the fact that the sites banned will not be porn only – but all sites that some knob in goverement decideds to block! Say good-bye to sites which critisize goverment policy and provide alternative to main-stream “honest” media.
What can i say , sad moment .
Did anyone actually find out how to opt-out ?
I spent 2 days talking to my ISP — tpg.com.au
and they have no idea about restrictions and any opt-outs
I have sent emails to the Age and Herald Sun asking why our media is so quiet about it , why Britney Spears life is more important to loosing of freedom , not sure if anything will follow up but is anyone trying the same ?
I have email Mr Conroy as well , noone probably will read my email but at least i tried , i hope we all doing the same .
I spoke to several people i know and noone seem to be aware of the imposed censorship and i think thats the reason for no reaction from AU people and media , noone cares as noone has any idea something like this happened and noone thought about implications for the future of our kids , us and freedom .
I have 2 kids and would not want them to be brought up without having the free source of information , it has been such a blessing , i think we have taken it for granted a bit .
I am really sad that my wife is scared to even call to try to find out info about opt-out , scared of possible prosecutions , in our own country .
I have never felt so sad and powerless , is it just the beginning ? what next …………
Jack,
You are correct, your email to Mr Conroy will likely never be received by him. It’s probably been filtered and deleted by Mr Conroy’s so called ‘porn filter’