[LINK] itNews: 'Industry backs 'workable' filter solution'

[Roger Clarke]

[itNews missed the expressions of concern about problems with the 
Interpol blacklist process, incl. Irene's analysis on link, and 
ISOC-AU's Media Release.]

Industry backs 'workable' filter solution

By Joshua Gliddon on Nov 9, 2012 12:49 PM (2 days ago)
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/322414,industry-backs-workable-filter-solution.aspx

Updated: Government policy change wins wide approval.

The Australian Government's move to drop the Rudd-era mandatory 
internet filtering proposal has been met with wide approval from 
industry groups and political parties.

In its place is legislation compelling internet service providers to 
filter "child abuse websites" featuring on an INTERPOL block list.

Australian Greens communications spokesperson Scott Ludlam said the 
move to adopt the INTERPOL block list represented a return to 
evidence-based policy.

"I congratulate the many people who campaigned hard against proposals 
to censor a wide array of material on the Government's 'Refused 
Classification' list," Senator Ludlam said in a statement.

The Internet Industry Association also welcomed the move, indicating 
it was consistent with industry commitments to block access to child 
abuse websites and work with law enforcement agencies under 
the Telecommunications Act 1997.

"ISPs recognise their role in assisting law enforcement agencies and 
meeting their obligations under the law," said IIA chief executive 
Peter Lee in a statement.

"Blocking the INTERPOL 'worst of' list is a positive step in 
preventing Australian internet users from committing the offence of 
accessing child abuse material.

"It is of the utmost importance in our society that we help keep 
children safe from abuse at all times.

"The IIA praises the Government and the Australian Federal Police 
(AFP) for taking positive steps to ensure that community expectations 
are met and our children are protected."

Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) was less effusive about the move.

"We welcome the government finally realising that the internet filter 
was unworkable and an affront to free speech in this country," said 
executive director Jon Lawrence.

"We have some issues with black listing generally, because it is not 
really effective. Most of the really bad stuff is sitting on the 
torrents,  [but at least] there is transparency around the list and 
that is comforting."

News of the Australian Government's move also prompted a positive 
response from the System Administrator's Guild of Australia (SAGE). 
The group said it had long held the proposed filtering laws to be 
"unworkable" and described the new proposal as a "welcome step."

SAGE also suggested a raft of proposals designed to make the internet 
safer for children. These proposals incuded family-friendly ISP 
services; improved parent education; and stronger enforcement by 
police. 

Updated with comments from SAGE

-- 
Roger Clarke                                 http://www.rogerclarke.com/
			            
Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd      78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
                    Tel: +61 2 6288 1472, and 6288 6916
mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au                http://www.xamax.com.au/

Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law               University of NSW
Visiting Professor in Computer Science    Australian National University