[LINK] Web censorship plan heads towards a dead end

[Stilgherrian]

On 26/02/2009, at 9:58 PM, stephen at melbpc.org.au wrote:
> Seems to me that people & families should have a filtering choice  
> though.

They already do, of course.

Thirteen ISPs offer content-filtered Internet under the IIA's "Family  
Friendly ISP" program.
http://www.iia.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=416&Itemid=9

There's a bazillion PC-level filters available, most at similar cost  
to anti-virus and other software, and all certainly much less than  
application software adding just a couple of percent (at most!) to the  
overall TCO of the computer.

And, until 31 December 2008 when it was killed by the Rudd government,  
the Howard government's NetAlert program already offered FREE  
filtering software and support for any family who wanted it.

One question I've always had is that if we already have all these  
options, with such little take-up -- in the case of NetAlert even  
after a massive advertising campaign -- why are those who imagine the  
Internet such an evil place not encouraging people to take up these  
offers instead of wanting something else again?

Stil



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