Australian ISP's Telstra, Optus to start 'CENSORING' the web next month..!

[jackovesk]

http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/06/21/1226079/161747-switchedon-censor.jpg
Australia will soon become one of the few countries to have controlled internet censorship.

MOST Australian internet users will have their web access censored next month after the country's two largest internet providers agreed to voluntarily block more than 500 websites from view.

Telstra and Optus confirmed they would block access to a list of child abuse websites provided by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and more compiled by unnamed international organisations from mid-year.

But internet experts have warned that the scheme is merely a "feel-good policy" that will not stop criminals from accessing obscene material online and could block websites unfairly.

The voluntary scheme was originally proposed by the Federal Government last year as part of a wider, $9.8 million scheme to encourage internet service providers to block all Refused Classification material from users as an optional service.

The Government dropped its funding for the scheme last month due to "limited interest" from the industry, but a spokesman for Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said a basic voluntary filter was still on track to be introduced by Telstra, Optus and two small ISPs.

"The ACMA will compile and manage a list of URLs of child abuse content that will include the appropriate subsection of the ACMA blacklist as well as child abuse URLs that are provided by reputable international organisations (to be blocked)," the spokesman said.

System Administrators Guild of Australia board member Donna Ashelford said blocking these website addresses should not affect internet speed, but was only a "cosmetic fix" that was easily circumvented by criminals.

"The effectiveness will be trivial because you're just blocking a single website address (and) a person can get around it by changing that address with one character," she said.

"Child abuse material is more likely to be exchanged on peer-to-peer networks and private networks anyway and is a matter for law enforcement."

Electronic Frontiers Association board member Colin Jacobs also expressed concern at the scheme, saying the Government and internet providers needed to be more upfront about websites being blocked and offer an appeals process for website owners who felt URLs had been blocked unfairly.

"There is a question about where the links are coming from and I'd like to know the answer to that," Mr Jacobs said.

"We've been waiting to hear details on this from the Government. It they turn out to be zealous with the type of material that is on the list then we'd want to have a discussion about ways to introduce more transparency."

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/technology/telstra-optus-to-begin-censoring-web-next-month/story-e6freaal-1226080060299

[Carmody]

The way I explained it once is that the child porn equates to somewhere near about..oh..0.001% or less of the given country's internet traffic.

So you shut down the internet and hammer freedoms for.....what?

For an Impression of a problem, that the public can be made to swallow and believe. Nothing more.

They try the same garbage in Canada all the time. Scaremongering to limit freedoms.

The only thing they care about is the puncturing of the balloon of freedom.

They can't deflate it if it has no holes. They must have their 'foot in the door', to achieve this.

They must create a hole to begin the process of enlarging it to a big enough size...to begin driving giant trucks through. This is the way it has always been done.

Cut their foot off before it gets in the door. It really is that simple. The problem is convincing people of the reality of that.

They have no intention of stopping. This was just the innocent looking opening gambit.

[Maia Gabrial]

God, if THAT doesn't rile people, I don't know what....! Let's hope Americans stomp their politicians if they tried anything like that....
What's it gonna take.........?
Maia

[Teakai]

I wonder if everyone with Optus and Telstra cancelled their accounts they might do a rethink.

But - if people do think it's all because of the child porn they'll be like, 'oh, aren't Telstra and Optus wonderful, they're soooo caring'

It's the people who allow it to happen.

*sigh*

¤=[Post Update]=¤


God, if THAT doesn't rile people, I don't know what....! Let's hope Americans stomp their politicians if they tried anything like that....
What's it gonna take.........?
Maia

People waking up and smelling the crap that's under their noses. And cancelling their accounts with the providers who don't provide.
:)

[soulseeker]

I'm with Optus as its the only reliable service I can get in my area. Can't change accounts as Optus cable is the only fast option available to me.

I don't visit child porn sites ,but I do visit torrent sites. Will let you know if I get blocked from visiting any of my regular sites.

In my opinion the Australian government is just making these token gestures to be seen as taking the fight up the sick child porn sites.

Censoring the internet is not something that can be done , specially by the deluded Government. If they understood the power of the

internet and how the online world really works then they would understand that their so called censoring will amount to nothing.

[dddanieljjjamesss]

fixing the manipulation of people by our oppressors will stop a lot of unfortunate people reliving their abuse on the people they choose to abuse

love, don't hate
think about what must happen to these people to make them the way they are...
censorship will only compound the problem, it's obvious...

[BMJ]

Hi everyone,
Child porn can be dealt with even more effectively by nipping the matter in the butt.
If you strongly suspect / know someone is enjoying that material or interfering with children, have the courage to speak up to the police or child serves, don't turn your back on that child because they maybe to young to speak up for themselves. (I am not suggesting anyone here wouldn't do the right thing though).

Boris

[Teakai]

I'm with Optus as its the only reliable service I can get in my area. Can't change accounts as Optus cable is the only fast option available to me.

I don't visit child porn sites ,but I do visit torrent sites. Will let you know if I get blocked from visiting any of my regular sites.

In my opinion the Australian government is just making these token gestures to be seen as taking the fight up the sick child porn sites.

Censoring the internet is not something that can be done , specially by the deluded Government. If they understood the power of the

internet and how the online world really works then they would understand that their so called censoring will amount to nothing.

Hi Soulseeker - I don't think they'll start blocking anything but the childpornography sites - initially. They'll wait for people to accept that first - seeing if the good citizens don't make too much of a ruckus or remove their custom and thus the profits - and then they will push it a little more and a little more - and before you know it - we're censored of pretty much everything the 'ptb' don't want us to have access to.

It's the opening of a door, which, the further it's allowed to open, will be all that much harder to close.

I know myself that even now I have videos blocked as not being made available in my country - and I don't know how to get around that.
I'm sure there are people who will be able to find ways to access what they want to, if they are interested enough in finding out - but the general person is just going to accept it.

[Teakai]

Hi everyone,
Child pron can be dealt with even more effectively by nipping the matter in the butt.
If you strongly suspect / know someone is enjoying that material or interfering with children, have the courage to speak up to the police or child serves, don't turn your back on that child because they maybe to young to speak up for themselves. (I am not suggesting anyone here wouldn't do the right thing though).

Boris

The reality is, though, that this isn't about child pornograhy at all. Child pornography is only the emotive bait being used to get people to consent.

[Positive Vibe Merchant]

This is just a ploy. Another excuse to stamp out freedom of information. This is just the first serious 'now you knwo what we are going to do' steps. Optus and Telstra know they have the market cornered and people can't really swith. Vodafone is lousy, and alotof other smaller providers are using the tel/opt networks anyway.

I recokin give it 6 months and torrent sites will start being hit (if they arent in the list).

Does anyone have a list of the websites they are planning on blacklisting?

M@

[jcocks]

If it's anything like the filter they were trying to bring in last year, you'll have somewhere between a snowballs' chance in hell and bluckleys' chance of getting ANYONE to divulge that list to you - wouldn't want to give anyone any ideas now, would we? ;-)

[jcocks]

.... And now for something completely different, but in the same vein...

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/9657217/second-kronic-party-shut-down

I know it's off-topic, but really you should read the article... You'll either wet yourself laughing at how ridiculous it's all become, or book your next flight out of here...

Bring the fact that now we even have the west australian police spying on those evil republicans in the lead-up to the CHOGM, and things aren't just getting crazy, they're COMPLETELY INSANE!

[Mad Hatter]

It's over folks. The gubmint announced today that they have bought out the last hope of an alternative network by convincing Telstra to disconnect their copper network in return for a few sheckles for the shareholders. Thus a gubmint owned and run monopoly will control the entire Aussie backbone (sooooo much easier to filter) and the mug punters choice will be wireless or the 'all fibre' national broadband network. Once they have convinced enough of the gullible to buy into the web 2 prepackaged tripe it really will be checkmate.

As an aside, which do ya think works better in the following situation - The power is off at your house and you need to call an ambulance...

1) The very latest from the kewl wireless colour co-ordinated handset accessory department which needs to be plugged into the ac socket to make it work
or
2) One of those clunky uncool old skool handsets that grandma still uses....???

Ahhh the joys of demockery (mob rule) courtesey of the sheeple!!

[ceetee9]

God, if THAT doesn't rile people, I don't know what....! Let's hope Americans stomp their politicians if they tried anything like that....
What's it gonna take.........?
Maia
I wouldn't hold my breath for that happening. We can't even get our citizens to stomp their politicians for allowing unconstitutional body searches at our public transportation terminals. This is the way all "gubmints" work. They create a problem, present their "solution" to the problem (that they already had in hand before they created the problem), garner support for their solution by playing to the emotions of the masses, and then implement their solution that trades more rights and freedoms for the illusion of fixing the problem and providing more and better security. It's amazing how easily deceived we are.

[Steven]

I wonder if everyone with Optus and Telstra cancelled their accounts they might do a rethink...

Of course. They're so afraid of it. That is why they try to pass some legaleses to prevent boycots. That's also why it becomes so important for them to maintain the people disorganized and divided. Bying is voting.

Namaste, Steven

[Teakai]

.... And now for something completely different, but in the same vein...

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/9657217/second-kronic-party-shut-down

I know it's off-topic, but really you should read the article... You'll either wet yourself laughing at how ridiculous it's all become, or book your next flight out of here...

Bring the fact that now we even have the west australian police spying on those evil republicans in the lead-up to the CHOGM, and things aren't just getting crazy, they're COMPLETELY INSANE!

Kronic. Who knew?

[Teakai]

God, if THAT doesn't rile people, I don't know what....! Let's hope Americans stomp their politicians if they tried anything like that....
What's it gonna take.........?
Maia
I wouldn't hold my breath for that happening. We can't even get our citizens to stomp their politicians for allowing unconstitutional body searches at our public transportation terminals. This is the way all "gubmints" work. They create a problem, present their "solution" to the problem (that they already had in hand before they created the problem), garner support for their solution by playing to the emotions of the masses, and then implement their solution that trades more rights and freedoms for the illusion of fixing the problem and providing more and better security. It's amazing how easily deceived we are.

Unfortunately one realises that only after becomming aware of it. :)
At least, that was the case with me. I was as trusting and unquestioning of government policy as the most trusting. Not that I gave it overly much thought - but I thought they were there for the good of the country and it's citizens. (I know!!! :doh:)

Now that I'm aware of the enormity and the depth of the rabbit hole I can't even think of how to best explain it to people - except by doses on facebook or pointing out what's really going on with bits that are in the mainstream - like this internet filter stuff.

I had the benefit of acquiring the information in slow bitesize pieces and being able to digest it and move onto the next lot.
Things are moving faster now. - people are either going to wake up due to a big smack in the head and find they're faced with an alternate reality they had no clue existed - or they're going to remain oblivious and think it's all the act of God, or bad weather, or just plain old bad luck - and the government are doing their best to protect them.

[TigaHawk]

Hi everyone,
Child porn can be dealt with even more effectively by nipping the matter in the butt.
If you strongly suspect / know someone is enjoying that material or interfering with children, have the courage to speak up to the police or child serves, don't turn your back on that child because they maybe to young to speak up for themselves. (I am not suggesting anyone here wouldn't do the right thing though).

Boris

I had to deal with a situation like this once.

Guy whom worked for the same company as i - but he was in NZ and i was in Aus. Had to deal with him on a regular basis, seemed nice, realy professional and work orientated - had a GF and a Kid (not his kid, was the GF's). He expressed interest in moving to Aus and was looking for a place around the same time i had booted my X out due to a physical incident. (looking for someone to help pay the bill on the damn palce - was a 2bdroom unit)

He moved in - his GF/Kid stayed over there waiting for him to find a place of their own after paying to have everything moved over.

Noticed instantly the guy was a weirdo after he moved in - was wakling around the house in budgie smugglers after being repatidly asked to put some shorts on.

Then he got dodgy with rent. Said he couldent pay me as he was out of cash. Other workmates whom i worked with went to the pub with him that evening - he shouted drinks.

I had given him my old PC - when he had moved in. As i had literaly just got a new one. He reformatted it and put Win XP on it as he diddnt like Vista.

I had helped him setup a spreadsheet - one where he could plug in his earnings work out how much he had to send to his GF - rent, aprox power and internet bill.

This was on a friday night - so i'd had about 2 Vodka drinks. In a fit of rage - while he was out - went into his room - loaded up his pc - Went looking for the document so i could work out exactly what he was getting - so when he came home i could confront him with the facts. Couldent find it. He was also the type that hogs net usage. He had downloaded a heap of mash episodes and other TV shows. Saw a limewire download folder in the my documents folder (where i was looking for the spreadshet) - went into the limewire folder. It was setup for thumbnail view. There were 30 odd pictures of what i believed to be underage kids. and 1 video file - which definately was kids.

Called the police. Got asked 10 times if i was drunk (I was crying). The police came out (a close friend at the time who also worked where i worked came out - helped me remove his belongings - called a locksmith had the locks changed too) Asked me if they coudl take the pc - i said yeah go for it.

After all that - he never got put in jail. He never got deported back to NZ. He's still walking around freely here in Aus. His GF believed his lies and now lives with him over here - with the kid.

It was child porn that was on the drive. After a year - they still had not returned my PC. My sisters PC died - so i went chasing the police for it back. The officer that came out to my house that day - said they couldent give me the PC back as they're waiting for the HDD to be wiped (How i know it was child porn - and the police offer told me i'd have to appear in court - but would not give me details if they had charged him or what was going on with the case). Ended up convincing them to give me the PC back - with me telling them to just remove the damn HDD and burn it in a fire.


Moral of this story.



Police dont do JACK to stop the ones you call and report. They care more about parking fines and speeding tickets than they do putting people that download child porn in jail. Also - the guy used Limewire to download it. Not a website. Internet filter is useless.

[Star]

Hi Teaki and All,

I just read yesterday that Comcast and ATT are passing a bill to spy and to warn people who go on certain sites and then lower the bandwith so they cannot get on and finally shut them down if they do not comply. So it's already in operation for us. I am sorry that I did not save it to favorites but sent it out to friends who will forward it to many others. Maybe if you put it in search it will find it. I was appalled to think they are passing a law to do this.. How can they (TPTB) continue to pass laws like this without the public's consent or knowledge? This means any site they consider subvervise, and I think this would be one, could be cut off and they know who were are also.

Still have to get my head and feelings about this too! AT&T and Comcast are now big corporations so I guess that says it all.

Love & Light,
Star