internet censorship in Australia

viva · 23-06-11 06:05:27

Disturbing news this week as Australia gingerly takes her first steps on one very slippery slope. Go on, read about it.

I feel sick.

richard · 23-06-11 12:33:42

Meh, I think that slippery slope has a lot of gravel on it. What they're filtering is something no rational person is going to defend - I think panicking about this is a bit like worrying that gun control is going to lead to plastic cutlery.

VeronicaF · 24-06-11 01:50:11

Truth is no filter is really going to stop anyone who wants to find content from finding it. ISP tunneling is too easy, so all it is going to do is stop not-so-technically-minded people from looking at things that they probably don't want or cant be bothered finding.
As for this filter in particular...who uses Optus or Telstra internet anyway? They're a rip and are only really used by people like my parents who use the internet solely to check their mail and pay their bills. Pfft.

viva · 24-06-11 02:11:41

Oh I disagree completely. What they're filtering is something functionally non-existent - blocking child porn websites is like writing NO on the door of a brothel - but that red-flag of "child abuse" sure will rally the righteous and make it difficult for people who disagree to claim a leg to stand on. And once the foot's in the door, it;s definitely not going to be easy to shut again.

A blacklist of internet websites may protect us from accidentally clicking on all that scary stuff out there, but what about when Telstra decides that rape fantasies and enemas are really scary too?

"If you believe a voluntary filter should block child abuse, how would you justify having a voluntary filter not block a bestiality or pro-rape website?" Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.

It's one thing to have private ISPs doing what they like - just change ISPs if you don't like it, right? Except there are people in your government who eagerly push internet regulation and mandatory shielding and all this crazy-talk, and Australia's notions of what's appropriate are already quaint enough as it is. As internet censorship becomes acceptable on any level you can bet that those filter-hungry folk up in the government and elsewhere will be pleased as pie to take it to the next one.

I'm not interested in trusting Teltra, Optus, or any political powers to decide what I should and should not be accessing on the internet and I definitely think that if people are not concerned and interested, they should be.

edit - viva tries to be slightly less gross

Last edited by viva (24-06-11 08:23:56)

blissed · 24-06-11 15:17:11

Governments want the same control over the internet as they have over old media, and they're trying their best to realise that.

.

viva · 28-06-11 01:54:33

People are much more docile when they only know about weiners and gagas.

gala · 29-06-11 23:28:08

Hang on, I have Optus broadband. I didn't know that was the wrong thing. What should I have instead?

viva · 30-06-11 01:24:33

I use iiNet, so I can google CP all I want.

You can come over to my house and google with me if your ISP's blocking you. I'll make you some raspberry tarts... bitches love tarts.

edited to hit on gala.

Last edited by viva (30-06-11 01:57:46)

troyforyou · 30-06-11 05:56:14

CP being Cerebral Palsy or Child Porn. What an association!

VeronicaF · 01-07-11 06:59:48

viva wrote:

I'll make you some raspberry tarts... bitches love tarts.
edited to hit on gala.

Oh how I love you ladies......

TZO2K10 · 02-07-11 22:12:16

richard wrote:

Meh, I think that slippery slope has a lot of gravel on it. What they're filtering is something no rational person is going to defend - I think panicking about this is a bit like worrying that gun control is going to lead to plastic cutlery.

That is a very rational response, one of which I fully agree with...Unfortunately, the *easily panicked and self-righteously ignorant aren't, which is why I would not support this bit of mandatory nanny-ing for a nation made up of rational people who are able to freely make up their own minds.

(*=The ones who mandate this bit of legislation and laws!)

While I AM American, I would have to say that we are not immune from this form of censorship spreading over here! In fact, I can predict that as soon as we get another naz* Errr, (carefully hidden extremist) neo-conservative into office we'll be facing the same restrictions as yours!

It hasn't happened yet, but it still wouldn't surprise me that if our nation's government were to mandate a form of internet censorship it would certainly be a gov-funded corporation/service that would charge extra for a "second tier access package service" that the American masses would gladly eat right up, (all the while thinking they're getting a "Special deal") which would in turn effect other developed nations (And despot-run) as well!

Besides, those scum bags would simply find (yet) another way to circumvent even that restriction and carry on as they always have, while honest "pervs" like us will slowly have our privilege slowly chipped away!

Last edited by TZO2K10 (02-07-11 22:14:46)

#1 23-06-11 06:05:27

internet censorship in Australia

#2 23-06-11 12:33:42

Re: internet censorship in Australia

#3 24-06-11 01:50:11

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#4 24-06-11 02:11:41

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#5 24-06-11 15:17:11

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#6 28-06-11 01:54:33

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#7 29-06-11 23:28:08

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#8 30-06-11 01:24:33

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#9 30-06-11 05:56:14

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#10 01-07-11 06:59:48

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#11 02-07-11 22:12:16

Re: internet censorship in Australia

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