Policing the Internet?

[Stewart Carter]

Linkers,

I've been cogitating over the Attorney-General's letter published in the IT 
section of the Australian on Tuesday. 

In the letter Darryl Williams QC writes that "a regulatory scheme is being 
considered by government." 

The short, seven-paragraph letter does not say specifically so, but the A-G is
presumably referring here to proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Act; 
amendments which are said to be required to facilitate industry self-
regulation. ( For example, through the much-awaited Internet Industry 
Association code of conduct.)

Williams reassuringly stressed that "it is not the Federal Government's view 
that Internet Service providers police the Internet or vet online content."

And doubtless the (nearly invisible) hand of "light-touch regulation" is what 
is envisaged here.

All well so far. 

But then I thought, do the police agree?

Policing the Internet appears to be very much an issue for the police services
of Australia at the moment.

If not then why would so many police and law enforcement officials have turned
up to a Telstra Big Pond seminar in Sydney late last month.

As I reported briefly in the Age this week, and will in more detail in the 
upcoming fortnight's issue of Electronic Commerce Report (due out Monday), 
some 260 people, mostly police and law enforcement officials, attended the 
seminar. 

Organised by Telstra Big Pond it was officially titled 'Exchange of 
Information Forum -  Internet Fraud and Related Crime.'

It seems clear that some at the seminar, which was closed to the press and 
Telstra's competitors, felt there was room for debate about policing ISPs in 
the absence of any light-touch regulation.

For example, it would be interesting to see the paper entitled 'ISP's - 
victims or offenders'. Thus far, however, Telstra has declined to release the 
papers.

Stewart Carter
Electronic Commerce Report
edirepor@attmail.com
Ph. 0411 477 149